Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/168

 by sheer strength crushed it and dragged the body coil for coil from its mate. The snake, now lifeless, fell among some rocks where the orangs followed it and literally tore it to pieces. Then they went to look at the baby. Life was still flickering in its poor little body, and the mother, disregarding her own wounds, picked it up and nestled it to her. But it was too late, for the injured little thing soon died in its mother's arms. The parents set up loud cries and beat their breasts in anguish. The next day the mother was seen still holding her dead youngster in her arms.

Orangs undoubtedly fear snakes. Several stories are told of men who could give a lifelike imitation of the hiss of a snake, and thereby cause the great apes to crouch in a corner and quake with terror.

All monkeys and apes in fact fear snakes and leopards for both these creatures are their deadly enemies and moreover can follow them through the trees so that