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The effect of his gripe was instantly apparent. The reptile unfolded itself, and the slender coral body was seen writhing and twisting along the ground. But it did not remain long upon the ground, for in a few moments the guaco rose into the air, and carried the struggling victim into the woods to devour it at his leisure. Now Guapo was exceedingly pleased at what had occurred. Why?
It was like a voice repeating the word "Guaco!" They all listened. "Guaco Guaco!" again came the voice. "Hola!" cried Leon, "Guapo Guapo! there's some one calling you, Guapo. There again! no it's `Guaco' listen! `Guaco Guaco! What is it, I wonder?"
When first noticed, it was perched upon the top of a high tree, but it soon flew to another not so high, uttering as it went, the "Guaco Guaco!" It then pitched itself to a still lower branch, and was evidently after something which none of the party could see. That something, however, soon became apparent.
He was a tall strong man, and was brought to the mission in a very alarming state. He had dropped down senseless; and nausea, vertigo, and congestions in the head, had succeeded the fainting. The liana called vejeco de guaco,* which M. Mutis has rendered so celebrated, and which is the most certain remedy for the bite of venomous serpents, is yet unknown in these countries.
The effect of his gripe was instantly apparent. The reptile unfolded itself, and the slender coral body was seen writhing and twisting along the ground. But it did not remain long upon the ground, for in a few moments the guaco rose into the air, and carried the struggling victim into the woods to devour it at his leisure. Now Guapo was exceedingly pleased at what had occurred. Why?
I eagerly complied with his request, and swallowed some of the juice. Like the seneca root, it tasted hot and pungent, with something of the flavour of spirits of camphor. But the polygala is quite inodorous, while the guaco gives forth a strong aromatic smell, resembling valerian. I had already experienced relief this would have given it to me almost instantaneously.
The bird fought with fresh courage, knowing that he had taken precautions against a fatal result, while the snake defended itself with the energy of despair. This time the battle was a short one. The guaco, using its wings, succeeded in striking its antagonist upon the upraised head, and quickly following up the blow, planted his talons so as to encircle the throat of his victim.
It is true there are other birds that kill and eat serpents, as the "guaco" bird of South America, and many hawks and kites, but the secretary is the only winged creature that makes reptiles of this class exclusively its prey, and carries on a constant war against them. It is not strictly correct to say that it feeds exclusively upon snakes.
Its eyes sparkled with rage, and their fiery glitter could be seen even at many yards distance. The bird diverged from its course, and after passing the snake, turned and swooped again from the opposite direction. But the reptile had shifted its body so as to meet the attack, and its threatening head once more was reared high above its coiled body. The guaco was foiled a second time.
It was like a voice repeating the word "Guaco!" They all listened. "Guaco Guaco!" again came the voice. "Hola!" cried Leon, "Guapo Guapo! there's some one calling you, Guapo. There again! no it's 'Guaco' listen! Guaco Guaco' What is it, I wonder?"
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