Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/180

172, I could observe that the shot had taken effect, for blood was beginning to drop from its head. But the wound appeared rather to have enraged than subdued him. Unfortunately, all my shot was expended, otherwise I would most certainly, at a respectable distance, have given him a salutation of the same kind as I had just bestowed. All that I have described passed in a much shorter time than I have taken up in recounting it.

“As I went up the stream with all the velocity I could impart to the canoe, I heard the reeds, among which the animal was apparently taking refuge, crashing under its weight. I never once thought of the lines I had left; but hurrying as fast as the canoe would go through the water, I was not long in reaching the landing-place below my friend's house. Hastily mooring the canoe, I jumped ashore, and hurried up to the house, where you may be certain I lost no time in communicating the almost miraculous escape I had made, and the wound I had inflicted on the animal. ‘In that case,’ said Mr. H., ‘it cannot escape; we must immediately go in search of it;’ and instantly summoning Cæsar (a black servant), he told him to get the guns ready, and to bring two of his fellows with him. ‘If you choose to assist us in finishing the adventure you have begun, and to have a second encounter with your novel antagonist, we shall shew you some of the best and most dangerous sport our country affords.’ I protested that nothing was farther from my intention than staying behind, and added, that had not my shot been expended, we should not have parted on so easy terms. ‘In general,’ said he, ‘it is very dangerous to attack