We were yesterday informed by Mr. Smith, living on Quapaw Bayou, that while he and his son William, aged about thirteen years were out in the woods on Monday afternoon last, driving up their cattle, their attention was attracted by the bleating of a calf. Thinking the animal was probably bogged, they discovered a yearling, in the coils of a huge snake, the body of which was suspended from a tree about twenty feet from the ground, and which projected from the bank immediately over the water. Mr. Smith and his son were almost terror-stricken at the sight; and stood speechless for several moments, unconsciously watching the movements of the huge reptile as he entwined himself around the already dead body of the yearling, and at every coil of the snake they could hear the bones of the calf break.
    After coiling itself aound the lifeless form of the yearling aand crushing every bone in its body, the serpent let loose its hold from the tree and dropped down alongside its victim, and began licking it all over, preparatory it is supposed, to swallowing. About this time Mr. Smith recovered his senses, and, after watching the monster snake open its capacious mouth several times, he fired on it with his rifle, stricking it near the head, and was quickly followed by his son, who discharged a double-barreled gun loaded with buckshot; both reloaded as quick as possible and again fired on his snakeship. In the meantime the reptile had coiled itself into a huge mass, and was making a hissing sound that could be heard fully 100 yards, and was protruding his forked tongue several feet. After discharging about a dozen volleys each, Mr. Smith and his son succeeded in dispatching one of the largest snakes ever seen in Louisiana, and, probably, North America. It measured 31 feet in length, and the body measured ten feet from the head, thirty inches in circumference, and about the centre of the body 42 inches. It has a regular succession of spots, black and yellow, alternating, extending from the head to his tail, while either side is a deep purple. Mr. Smith has no idea what kind of a snake it is, but thinks it must be of the boa-constrictor species. No doubt this snake has for many years inhabited that section of country and depredated upon the young calves and animals that came within its reach. The skin of this huge snake has been preserved, and will be sent to Shreveport and put on exhibition.-Shreveport [La.] Times.
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