In this way I
continued at my work until I had cut a full load, never suffering
him to be quiet for a moment. Having cut my load, I strapped it
together, and got everything ready for starting. I felt that I could
now call the others without the imputation of being afraid; and went
in search of them. In a few minutes we were all collected, and began
an attack upon the bush. The big Frenchman, who was the one that I had
called to at first, I found as little inclined to approach the snake
as I had been. The dogs, too, seemed afraid of the rattle, and kept up
a barking at a safe distance; but the Kanakas showed no fear, and
getting long sticks, went into the bush, and keeping a bright
look-out, stood within a few feet of him. One or two blows struck near
him, and a few stones thrown, started him, and we lost his track,
and had the pleasant consciousness that he might be directly under our
feet. By throwing stones and chips in different directions, we made
him spring his rattle again, and began another attack. This time we
drove him into the clear ground, and saw him gliding off, with head
and tail erect, when a stone, well aimed, knocked him over the bank,
down a declivity of fifteen or twenty feet, and stretched him at his
length.
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