Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-03
he aabounJ. as he spoke, ribband from his neck,


Ii was that of beautiful female. She might
have been twenty years of age-but there was an
almost childish expression in her countenauce-
softness-a delicacy, and a sweetness OF smile.
which have seldom seen in the features of those
who have tasted. even slightly, OF the bitter wa
| ters of existence. The old man watched ms
couutenance intently. as surveyed The image of
his early love. "She must have been very beau
tiful." sail. as returned the picture.
| I" Beautiful" he repeated, ''you may well
say SD. But this avails nothing. have fear.
full story to tell: would to GoJ had not attempt
ed 1t; but will 90 on. NV heart has. been
stretched too often on the rack of memory to sui
fer any new pans
1--WE had resided in the new country nearly
! a wear. Oar settlements had increased rapidly,
and tine comforts and delicacies o! life were be-
gaming to be felt, after the weary priyations and
! severe trials to which we had been subjected
/ he red men were few and feeble, and did not
nnest US. The beasts Of the forest aud noun
,ains were ferocious. but we suffered little from
them The only immediate danger to which we
were exposed, resulted from the Rattlesnakes
which infested our neighbourhood Three or
four of our settlers were bitten by them, and
died III terrible agonics. The Indians often told
Us frish,fu, stories of the snake, aud its powers
of fascination, and although they were generally
believed. vet for myself, | confess. | was rather
amused than convinced BY their marvellous lie.
sends.
In one of nv hunting excursions abroad, on
a fine morning-lt was just at this time OF the
yGar--l was. accompanied by my wife. Twas
| beautiful morning. The sunshine was warm.
but the atmosphere was perfectly clear; and
fine breeze from the north west shooS the bright
green caves which clothed to profusion the wrea-
thing branches above US. had left my compan-
ION Tor short time. in pursuit of game; and
climbing rugged ledge of rocks, intersPersed
with shrubs and dwartish trees, was startled by
a quick grating rattle. looked forward. GA
the edge of 4 loosened rock lay a large Rattle
snake cuins himself, as II for the deadly spring.
| tie was within few feet of me; and paused
| Tor an instant to survey him. know not why,
but s,ond still and looked at the deadly SER
peat with a strange feeling OF curiosity. Sud-
denly he unwouud his purpose of hostility, and
ras,ng his head. he fixed his bright trery eye
upon INV own. A chilling and indescrlhab'e
sensation totally diiferen, from any thing | had
ever before experienced, followed this movement
OF the se:pcnt bat sloud still, and earnestly,
for at that moment there wasa visible change IN
the reptile. His form seemed to grow larger,
hi, coIors brighter. His body moved with slow,
almost mperceptibe motion towards me, aud
low hum Of music came from hm--or, at least,
il sounded in my cara strange, sweet melody,
faint as that which melts from the throat Of the
/ Hummins bird.
Tnen the tints of his body deepened, and
changed aud glowed. like the changes of beau
tlful Kaleidoscope, purple and gold, un-
I'll lost sight of the serpent entirely, aud saw
only wild and curiously woven circles OF strange
Colors. quiverlng around me, like an atmosphere
q / in Tho AZ n nat
pr,sn-a world of mysterious colors;-anI the
tints varied and darkened and lighted up again
around me, and the low music went on without
ceasing. until my brain reeled; and fear, for the
first time, came like shadow over me. The
new sensation gained upon me rapidly, and |
could feel the cold sweat gushing from my brow.
I had no certainty of danger in my mlnd-no
definite ideas Of perl-all was vague and cloud
/ ed like the unaccountable terrors OF a dream--
aad vet nv limbs shook. and | could feel the
biuad stiilening with cold as 1t passed along my
veins. | would have gwen worlds to have been
able to tear myself from the spot--I even at
! tempted to do so; but the body Obeyed Ent the
impulse of the miud-not muscle stirred: and
stood still, as if my feet had grown to the solid
rock, with the inferna! ma,ic OF the tempter IN
nv ear. aud the baieiui coorlnss Of his enchant.
! ment before me.
Suddenly u new sound came or my cart
was a human yoice--but it seemed strange and
awful. Agaln-agaln-but | stirred not; aud
then white form plunged before me, and grasp
ed my arm. The horrible spell was at once bro
ken. The strange colors passed from before my
vision. The RattlesnaXe was cOing at my feet,
with glowing eyes and upiifted fanss; and my
wife was clugiug in terror upon me. The next
instant the serpent threw himself upon US. My
wife ~as the victim! The fatal fangs pierced
deeply into her hand; and her scream OF agony,
as she staggered backward from me, told me the
dreadful truth.
"Then it was tina, feeling of madness came
upon me; aud when saw the foul serpent steal
ing away from his work of death. reckless Of
danger, sprang forward and crushed him under
my feet. grinding him in pieces upon the ragged
rock. The sroans Of my wife now recalled me
to her side. and to the horrible reality OF her stu
alton. There was dark livid spot on her hand;
and it deepened into blackness as led her away.
We we're at a considerable distance from any
dwelling; and after wandering for short time,