A SENSATIONAL SNAKE STORY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 42, Issue I, 28 November 1868, Page 5

A SENSATIONAL SNAKE STORY.

A correspondent of the " Sydney Empire" lias, the following; — A rather sensational adventure occurred 111 this part of the world last week. An enormous snake measuring some ten*" feet in length and two feet in circumference, was killed by a gentleman named Charles Dinon, while out shooting ou Saturday last. Mr Dinon, it seems had proceeded as far as the banks of the Hunter in the vicinity of Hexham, . in tlie hope of procuring game; but being unable to find anything worthy the notice of a sportsman, and feeling rather fatigued with his long journey through the bush, he lay down beneath the shade of a large willow, the branches of which trailed to the ground. The monotonous sound made by the rippling of a stream which was near, together with, the wind sighing through the trees, caused him to fall into a kind of stupor or sleep. He imagines that he lay in this position for about half an hour, when ho was suddenly > aroused from the lethargy into which no had fallen by the impression that there was something cold lying across his face, and also on account of his inability to breath freely. His consternation and horror may be better imagined than described when, on opening his eyes, he discovered a brown snake of the carpet species entwined round his chest and neck. He was so terrified that fortunately he was rendered perfectly powerless, something similar, he says, to one afflicted with an attack of nightmare. In this condition he imagines he lay for quite ten minutes, thinking the reptile would take itself off, during which period the snake kept gently pscilating its head from side to side accross his chest. Thinking it was possible to find a more agreeable and comfortable, though perhaps less demonstrative companion,' Mr Dinon watched his opportunity, and his arms being perfectly free, gave a desperate clutch at its neck, seizing it about four inches below the head. The way he grasped it was really "a caution to snakes" for after holding it in grip for abput a minute, with its fangs gleaming from its mouth, it gradually relaxed its hold, ■disentangled itself from his body, and shuffled off" its coil. Mr Dinon then "slnrtjck it'accrosß the back several timea with' a gtiek, and carried it in triumph to where he was residing — namely, with Mr W Daniels. A great many persons having heard of this highly sensational encounter immediately repaired to Mr } Daniels' to view the skin, which is now I preserved and being exhibited. Strange to nay, Mr Dinon did not feel any ill effocta .till next day, since when he. baa been confined to hia bed. '

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