A NIGHT IN THE JUNGLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 649, 22 June 1870, Page 3

A NIGHT IN THE JUNGLE.

BT AN ENGLISH MERCHAKT. During my residence in the East Indies, I had occasion to visit the island of CeyloH, and on arriving at Columbo, was introduced to the gentleman in charge of the American Ice-house, who, by the way, had been a shipmaster, and grown gray in the service At his earnest solicitation, I took up my residence with him at the ice-house, and every effort was made by my kind host to render my visit at once agreeable and pleasant. I shall ever remember with emotions of the liveliest gratitude and pleasure, the many pleasant hours that were spent in his company, and in that of his friend Mr Hennessy, an Irish gentleman settled in the island. One day the old captain proposed to visit the ruing of a Buddhist city, at some little distance from the house. We carried our rifles in case we should meet some game, and in half an hour reached the ruins. The captain and Mr Hennessy shouldered their rifles, ! saying they would leave me for a couple of hours or so, and see what they could shoot, and in the meanwhile I examined the ruins. On every side as I wandered on were relics of what I have no doubt were once palaces, temples, and public buildings of various kinds. Some were well preserved, while others were nothing but a mass of shapeless ruins. The whole ground was covered with a reddish sort of dust, originating, I presume, from the mas 3of bricks, comprising, in fact, the ruins. In every direction I could see quantities of large and massive columns, which once must have belonged to noble and extensive buildings. Bats, serpents, and snakes infested the ruins, and I had to pursue my explorations cautiously. I was busily examining some granite pillars that were curiously carved, when, hearing a rustling sort of noise behind me, I turned and beheld a deer picking its way cautiously ov«r the stones. It discovered me at the same instant, and away it bounded, and I in full pursuit. Over the rocks and ruins it took its course, and I followed in hot haste, trying in vain to get a shot at its retreating form. Various snakes hustled along out of my path, twisting and wriggling in their endeavours to get out of the way. Even the cobra di capello, one of the most venomous snakes in India, will do its best to get out of the way of a human being; but, if molested er hurt, it becomes a terrible enemy. After running rapidly for some time, I found myaelf beyond the boundaries of the city. The deer had disappeared, but I had noted the course it had taken, and hoped to be able to come up with it by persevering. Stopping to rest for a few moments, and to regain my breath, I again pursued the deer in the direction it had taken. In place of ruins, and piles of bricks, and stones, trees, shrubs, and running vines had taken their places. The track of the deer I could easily perceive by the long fine grass being trodden down; and keeping my eyes fastened on it, I plunged into the jungle deeper and deeper. The trail at last begain to grow fainter and f linter, and by this time I was bathed in a profuse perspiration, from my efforts to overtake the deer, and having to cawy my heavy rifle; but I was running at full speed, when my foot catching in some running vine, I was hurled to the ground, and rolled over and over amongst the grass and under-brush by which was surrounded. I had received a severe wrench; but that was the extent of my injuries, and jumping up I looked around me, and saw in an instant the position I was in. The Bun had Bunk below the horizon, and night was rapidly approaching. Snatching up my rifle, I endeavoured to take the track back for home; but to my terror and consternation, I could find no trace of it, and I wandered, turned, and retraced my steps, till I was hopelessly lost. I had bo compass with me; the jungle was so dense it would be impossible to distinguish a star by which to shape a course, to say nothing of the danger of meeting a tiger, panther, or some ferocious animal. I leaned my rifle against the trunk of a tree, and climbing to the top, I cast a despairing glance around. I could see no path by which to extricate myself from the predicament I was in. I had descended to the lower branches, when I saw a monster that made me thankful I was in the tree. It was an immense boa-constrictor, which came gliding through the grass, and heading straight for the tree ' in which I had taken refuge. My hair fairly rose upon my head in terror. What would I have given to have had my rifle, leaning uselessly against the butt of the tree ? I had not the slightest kind of a weapon with me— not even a pocket-knife — and I felt that my position was terrible and perilous in the extreme. In the meanwhile, the boa had advanced within three feet of

my tree, and raising his hea-i full eight feet above the ground, he appeared to be watching something; I fancied he had scented and was now searching for me. I must confess that it was as much as I could do to retain my seat, so great was my terror. But presently my fears were set at rest by seeing a deer — probably the one I had been chasing —appear upon the scene; and I thought this must be the prey the boa was after. The deer made no effort to escape, but stood as if spell bound with terror. I watched the scene enacted below with a trembling sort of interest. The serpent was now fully exposed to view — his skin was jet black, with large circles of gold at intervals. I should judge he must have been full thirty feet in length, and larger round than my thigh. As he approached the deer, it made a sudden rush and spring, and in an instant its huge folds encircled it, crushing every bone in his body. It then unwound itself from the body, and swallowed it, horns and all. I now felt comparatively easy as far as the boa was concerned ; and, after delaying some little time, I descended to the ground, and, grasping my rifle, placed the muzzle to its head, and fired. The contortions of the snake were dreadful, and if I had been in the way of hi 3 immense tail, it would have killed me, for he completely stripped the shrubs and trees of their foliage, and even levelled some trees to the ground. Leaving him to his fate, I now selected a spot in an open glade, and prepared to camp out, in no very pleasant mood of mind. I reloaded my rifle, gathered a stock of dry wood, and luckily I had some lucif era with me. In a few moments I had a bright fire, and I made myself as comfortable as possible. It was now very dark, and the various noises and sounds that I heard prevented me from attempting to sleep, even had I dared to try the experiment. Some time passed, without anything disturbing me ; but a sudden crackling and breaking of twigs attracted my attention to the left, and peering through the gloom, I at last made out a pair of eyes, I supposed of some wild animal, as they were shining like balls of fire, and only the brightness of my fire held it in check. Taking a good, Bteady aim, I fired, and with a rotr that awakened the echoes of the jungle, an immense Bengal tiger sprang from the bußhes, and fell dead at my feet. It was a lucky shot ; I had hit him right between the two eyes, and I earnestly prayed that I might have no more such visitors. I piled wood on the fire, reloading my rifle, and overcome with weariness, fell asleep. How long I slept I know not, but I was suddenly awakened by the report of a rifle, followed by the shouts of men. Jumping to my feet, I looked around. My fire had gone out, the sun was streaming through i the trees, and, right at my feet, in his last death agonies, lay an immense leopard. In an instant I was surrounded by my friends; and the captain told me that at the appointed time they returned to the ruins, but I was nowhere to be seen. Supposing I had returned to the house, they retraced their steps, and their alarm was intense when I was not to be found. Early in the morning they had started off in search of me or my remains. With the aid of bloodhounds they found my trail, and appeared just in time to save me from a terrible death. The leopard was about to make a fatal spring, when the captain arrested his career with a rifle ball.