FIGHT WITH AN IGUANA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 54, 5 March 1898, Page 3 (Supplement)

FIGHT WITH AN IGUANA.

A Yucatan or Central American Indian or negro will hazard his life at a.ny time to capture an iguana—the huge lizard, whoso flesh is finer meat to them than beef and mutton to an Englishman. Tavo or three lazy natives, who could hardly be hired to exert themselves for three dollars a day, will often spend half a day chasing an iguana up and down an old ruin, or trying to dig him out of the Avail—and all for the prospect of a meal or two of broiled lizard. It is seldom, however, that such danger is in store for these dark-skinned hunters as is described in the following exciting story: Near the head of tbe Chagres River, Panama, Avhere few Avhite people ever venture, so dense is the undergrowth, so deadly the miasmas, and venomous the reptiles, the first Avhite man Avho ventured there Avitnes- ! sod a terrible sub-marine fight between a native and one 'of these lizards. The native bad been engaged as a guide, and after a day's hunt they were returning to their camp near the river, when the black man stopped suddenly and pointed to a fallen tree. His companion looked, and soon saw an. iguana's head peeping over the edge of a log that led into the river. His body was concealed, and he was evidently taking a siesta over the cool water. The guide laid doAAm his gun, and, taking a club, crept cautiously to him and, aiming a bloAv, brought the club down on the lizard. The creature was too quick for him, but in its fright it missed its footing and fell into the water. Quito, tbe negro, at once sprang after it, and tho two sank together out of sight. Soon Quito's head came to the surface, and the tail of the iguana thrashing the water in a fierce Avay, and then they Avere out of sight again. The negro evidently had no idea the lizard Avas so large, for when they came up again he Avas engaged in a fierce struggle, the Avater being dyed with blood, from which of them the white man, A\'ho was watching for a chance to shoot, could not tell. At last, creeping out on the log and looking down into the water, he saAv a perfect monster, of about 12ft. in length, had fastened its claws into poor Quito, and Avas evidently tearing him in a terrible manner. The plucky negro had caught him by the tail and throat, and aatis trying to hold him off. It seemed only a matter of time which should drown first, Avhen Quito struck bottom, and giving himself a push, rose to the surface again, holding the lizard at arm's length. As it came to the surface, it buried its five knife-like claws in the man's face, slitting it in a terrible manner, yet he held on with the tenacity of a bull dog. The observer crept out as far as he could on the log, and called on Quito to catch the stick he held to him, so that he could pull him ashore.

After several struggles he managed to reach it, and at the same time to hold the struggling monster, and was hauled, bleeding, ashore, Avhere a Woav from the butt of the gun silenced the reptile.

The native was weak from the loss of blood. He. had been bitten several times, and his body was cut in many places, telling the terrible power of the reptile's claws.