"What kind of snakes do they have there?" queried Fred.
"The largest is the boa-constrictor," said the gentleman; "and I do not believe he grows to a greater size in any other part of the world."
"What is the greatest length you have ever known for one of these snakes?" Frank asked.
"The longest I ever saw was one that I killed myself. I was out hunting, and had three or four natives to carry my gun and other things, when suddenly one of them shouted, and pointed to a tree.
"I looked, and saw an enormous snake coiled up there, with his head over a limb, and evidently watching us as we approached.
"Du Chaillu and other hunters of experience say that the best thing for shooting a snake is not a bullet, but a charge of small shot, such as we use in duck-hunting. So I gave my rifle to one of the natives, and called for my fowling-piece.
SHOOTING A BOA-CONSTRICTOR.