| Share page |
|
ADVENTURES AND EXCITEMENT 149
We stole softly to the place where the animal lay; but, instead of a crocodile, I saw before me a sort of lizard, named by naturalists Leguana, or Iguana, of an enormous size, about 8 feet in length, including the tail. Fritz was already taking aim with his gun, but I prevented him, wishing to try an experiment.
I cut a stout stick from a bush, and, tying a string with a running knot to the end of it, approached the creature with cautious steps. When I was very near to him I began to whistle a lively air, taking care to make the sounds low at first, and to increase in loudness till the lizard was awaked. He appeared entranced with pleasure, raising his head eagerly and looking round on all sides. I now advanced by a step at the time. At length I was near enough to reach him with a switch, with which I tickled him gently, still continuing to whistle. The lizard stretched himself at full length, made motions with his long tail, threw his head about, raised it up, and disclosed a range of sharp-pointed teeth. I seized the moment of his raising his head to throw my noose over him. When this was accomplished, it was the work of a moment to draw it tight and strangle him at once. As his flesh is good for eating, we had next to consider
11 |
||