The neighborhood, who collect around it and fly to and fro,
uttering the most piercing cries, until some one, more terror-struck
than the rest, actually scans its lips, and, almost without resistance,
becomes a meal for its enemy. During such a proceeding the snake
is generally observed with its head raised about ten or twelve inches
above the branch round which its body and tail are entwined,
with its mouth open and its neck inflated, as if anxiously endeavoring
to increase the terror which it would almost appear it was aware would
sooner or later bring within its grasp some one of the feathered group.
"Whatever may be said in ridicule of fascination, it is nevertheless true
that birds, and even quadrupeds, are, under certain circumstances,
unable to retire from the presence of certain of their enemies;
and, what is even more extraordinary, unable to resist
the propensity to advance from a situation of actual safety
into one of the most imminent danger. This I have often seen exemplified
in the case of birds and snakes; and I have heard of instances
equally curious, in which antelopes and other quadrupeds
have been so bewildered by the sudden appearance of crocodiles,
and by the grimaces and contortions they practiced, as to be unable
to fly or even move from the spot toward which they were approaching
to seize them." - Dr. Andrew Smith's "Reptilia".
In addition to these interesting statements of the most able naturalist
from whom I have taken this note, it may be added that fire exercises
a fascinating effect on some kinds of toads. They may be seen
rushing into it in the evenings without ever starting back on feeling pain.
Contact with the hot embers rather increases the energy with which
they strive to gain the hottest parts, and they never cease
their struggles for the centre even when their juices are coagulating
and their limbs stiffening in the roasting heat. Various insects, also,
are thus fascinated; but the scorpions may be seen coming away from the fire
in fierce disgust, and they are so irritated as to inflict at that time
their most painful stings.
-
Some of the Bayeiye we met at Sebituane's Ford pretended to be unaffected
by the bite of serpents, and showed the feat of lacerating their arms
with the teeth of such as are unfurnished with the poison-fangs.
They also swallow the poison, by way of gaining notoriety;
but Dr. Andrew Smith put the sincerity of such persons to the test
by offering them the fangs of a really poisonous variety,
and found they shrank from the experiment.
When we reached the Bamangwato, the chief, Sekomi, was particularly friendly,
collected all his people to the religious services we held,
and explained his reasons for compelling some Englishmen to pay him a horse.
"They would not sell him any powder, though they had plenty;
so he compelled them to give it and the horse for nothing.
