3-016-780 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Hindoo bathers in the River Jumna surprised by a snake, 1864. 'Large water-snakes abound in the canals and nullahs flowing into the Jumna about Delhi. The scene here represented is not uncommon in that part of India. A peculiar fearlessness or recklessness of danger is characteristic of the natives; it is the same quality which has often prompted them to attack a leopard or, in some rare instances, even a tiger, single-handed, and with only a latee or long stick for a weapon...In the instance here depicted the native will swim after the snake several hundred yards in midstream, with a strong current. Paddling hand over hand, as a dog swims, which is the common method of swimming used by the natives in India, he at length comes up to his chase, when a fierce battle ensues. In the scene sketched by our Artist the man was wading in a shallow part of the river. The scene is very animating and exciting, for the snake, when hard pressed, will turn and show fight; but he is usually killed without inflicting more injury upon the man than temporary loss of breath and exhaustion. These snakes are often 6 ft. long, and their bite is very severe, though it is not venomous'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.