We remained here only a short time, when, after making a present of a pair of small scissors for some water, with which we were presented, we resumed our journey. At fourteen miles, while crossing a swamp of no great magnitude, we were met by a number of women, heavily laden with different articles of produce for the market which we had just left. They were accompanied by several men, who walked in the rear. The women we found had been much alarmed a minute before, but seemed still more so at meeting me, some of the younger women endeavouring to pass into the thick impenetrable bush, which extended about half a mile along each side of the path. The men also seemed much alarmed, and the older of them, who were armed with bows and arrows, prepared themselves for an attack. However, they preferred submission, prostrating themselves as we passed. I requested them to rise, and after asking them how they were, they informed us of the extreme danger of passing any farther, till an enormous snake which they had just met should retire. They stated that this reptile had taken up his position in a large tamarind-tree, whence they said he had been in all probability compelled to retreat after a combat with a panther, which they said invariably practised one particular mode of attack. Whenever they come unexpectedly upon one of these reptiles, they pounce upon its tail, and thus prevent it from coiling itself round its prey. Then with its claw it secures the head, which is immediately brought round to release its tail. However, I never witnessed an attack of this sort, and must leave my readers to judge of the truth of this assertion. One of the party offered to go back and show us the enormous snake, and several others of the party volunteered their services also. Accordingly we proceeded about six hundred yards, when we arrived at the velvet tamarind-tree, which they had spoken of, and which was thickly covered with leaves; but upon examining the tree we could not observe anything of the nature described. When I was just upon the point of accusing them of hoaxing us, one of them, who stood a little behind my horse, suddenly called out “waroo-waroo,” upon which one of my soldiers seized my bridle to pull my horse aside, and to my amazement the monster was pointed out to me with part of its body coiled round a bough, and its head and a considerable part of its body hanging down very near our heads.