e log,
in such a position that his face was directly over the entrance to the
cavity. He was also close to the row of canes, so that with his
outstretched hand he could conveniently reach them. His arrangements
were now completed, and the "charm" commenced.

Laying aside the forked sapling ready to his hand, he took the piece of
split reed, and drew it backward and forward across the row of upright
canes. This produced a sound which was an exact imitation of the
"skerr" of the rattlesnake; go like, that a person hearing it, without
knowing what caused it, would undoubtedly have mistaken it for the
latter; so like, that the black knew the reptile itself would be
deceived by it! He did not, however, trust to this alone to allure his
victim. Aided by an instrument which he had hastily constructed out of
the lanceolate leaves of the cane, he at the same time imitated the
scream and chatter of the red cardinal (_Loxia cardinalis_), just as
when that bird is engaged in battle, either with a serpent, an opossum,
or some other of its habitual enemies.

The sounds produced were exactly similar to those often heard in the
depths of the American forest, when the dread _crotalus_ plunders the
nest of the Virginian nightingale.

The stratagem proved successful. In a few moments the lozenge-shaped
head of the reptile appeared outside the cavity. Its forking tongue was
protruded at short intervals, and its small dark eyes glittered with
rage. Its rattle could be heard, announcing its determination to take
part in the fray--which it supposed was going on outside.

It had glided out nearly the full length of its body, and seemed to have
discovered the deception, for it was turning round to retreat. But the
_crotalus_ is one of the most sluggish of snakes; and, before it could
get back within the log, the forked sapling descended upon its neck, and
pinned it fast to the ground!

Its body now writhed over the grass in helpless contortions--a
formidable creature to behold. It was a snake of the largest size for
its species, being nearly eight feet in length, and as thick as the
wrist of the Bambarra himself. Even he was astonished at its
proportions; and assured me it was the largest of its kind he had ever
encountered.

I expected to see the black put an end to its struggles at once by
killing it; and I essayed to help him with my gun.

"No, mass'," cried he, in a tone of entreaty, "for luv ob de Ormighty!
don't fire d