DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5831#0215
OUTA SNAKE.
183
during certain months in the year, and has been the
grave of a great number of Europeans. The rock re-
flects the sun's rays with an intensity scarcely support-
able, and yet this dreadful spot has been assigned as
a station for invalid pensioners; for what reason I
cannot imagine, unless that it is the most convenient
place that could have been selected to get rid of in-
cumbrances.
Before we quitted Chunar, our dandies, who had
kindled a fire on the bank of the river, were dressing
their rice and curry, when, a small snake approaching
the place where they were seated, one of them rose
and despatched it with a piece of bamboo. It was
about twenty-five inches long, entirely white, except
the top of the head, which was a deep shining black.
This particular species is called by the natives the
outa snake. It is very rare, and of peculiar habits.
These creatures always go in pairs, and it is remark-
able that, if one is killed either by man or beast,
the survivor will follow, until it is either destroyed,
or obtains its revenge by biting the author of its be-
reavement. It has been known under such circum-
stances to keep up the pursuit with the most patient
perseverance for upwards of three hundred miles. The
little creature, whose mate was killed by one of our
boatmen, was seen after we had pushed from the shore,
gliding along the bank of the stream in a direct line
with our boat, and when we reached Cawnpoor, there
we found it ready to deal its vengeance upon the
wanton destroyer of its conjugal felicity. It was
despatched before it could put its evil intention into
execution.
183
during certain months in the year, and has been the
grave of a great number of Europeans. The rock re-
flects the sun's rays with an intensity scarcely support-
able, and yet this dreadful spot has been assigned as
a station for invalid pensioners; for what reason I
cannot imagine, unless that it is the most convenient
place that could have been selected to get rid of in-
cumbrances.
Before we quitted Chunar, our dandies, who had
kindled a fire on the bank of the river, were dressing
their rice and curry, when, a small snake approaching
the place where they were seated, one of them rose
and despatched it with a piece of bamboo. It was
about twenty-five inches long, entirely white, except
the top of the head, which was a deep shining black.
This particular species is called by the natives the
outa snake. It is very rare, and of peculiar habits.
These creatures always go in pairs, and it is remark-
able that, if one is killed either by man or beast,
the survivor will follow, until it is either destroyed,
or obtains its revenge by biting the author of its be-
reavement. It has been known under such circum-
stances to keep up the pursuit with the most patient
perseverance for upwards of three hundred miles. The
little creature, whose mate was killed by one of our
boatmen, was seen after we had pushed from the shore,
gliding along the bank of the stream in a direct line
with our boat, and when we reached Cawnpoor, there
we found it ready to deal its vengeance upon the
wanton destroyer of its conjugal felicity. It was
despatched before it could put its evil intention into
execution.