The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-07-03

spread them at the foot of large stone,
which 1 Intended for my pillow; but as l
was about throwing myself down, rat
llesnake, colled. with'the Iiend erect, and
the forked tongue extended in state of
frightiul oscillation caught my eye imme-.
diately under the stone. instantly re-
treated short distance, but assuming
fresh courage. soon despatched it with
my stick. On examining the spot more
large cluster of them apear-
ed under the stone, the whole Of which
i rooted out and destroyed. This was
hardly accomplished, when upwards of a
dozen snnkes of different descriptions
chiefly dark brown, blue. and green made
their appearance they were much quick
er in their movements than their rattle
tailed brethren and could only kill a
few of them. This wai peculiarly
soul-trying moment. / had tasted no
fruit since the morning before, and after
II painful days march under burning
sun, could not procure drop Of water
to allay my feverish thirst. was sur
rounded by a murderous brood of SER
pents, and ferocious beasts of prey, and
without even the consolation of knowing
when such misery might have probable
termination.
Another night, and another day, the
poor wanderer passed in this dreadful sit
uatIon, when towards evening, his ear
caught the sound of waters; grateful for
this supply, he threw himself AT once in
10 the stream, and, weak and exhausted
as he was, found himself unable to with
stand the strength Of the current By
means Of an overhanging tree, however,
he regained the shore. and made hearty
meal of hips, cherries, and water. Hav-
ing somewhat refreshed himself, we leave
him to resume his own narrative:
"On looking about for place to sleep,
l observed lying on the ground, the hol-
low trunk of a pine destroyed by light
ming. retreated into tile cavity, and
having covered myself completely with
large pieces Of loose bark, quickly fell
asleep. My repose was not of long du-
ration for at the end of about two hours,
l was awakened by the growing of a
bear, which had removed part Of the cov-
ering, and was leaning over me with his
snout, hesitating as to the means he
should adopt to dislodge me ; the narrow
limits Of the trunk, which confined my
body, preventing him from making the
attack with advantage. / instantly
sprung up and seized my stick, and ut
tered loud cry which caused him to
recede few steps, when lie stopped and
turned about, apparently doubtful wheth-
or he would commence the attack. He
determined on an assault; but feeling l
had not sufficicn. strength to NEE. such
an unequal enemy, thought it prudent
to retreat, and accordingly scrambled up
an adjoining tree. My flight gave fresh
impulse To his courage, and he commen-
ced ascending after me. ! succeeded
however in gaining branch which gave
me a decided advantage over him, and
from which was enabled to annoy his
muzzle and claws in such a manner with
my stick, as effectually to check his pro-
gress. After scraping the bark some
time with rage and disappointment, he
gave up the attack and retired to my late
dormitory, of which he took possession.
The fear of falling off in case l should
be overcome with sleep, induced me to
make several attempts to descend; but
each attempt aroused my wakeful senti-
mel; and after many Intellectual efforts, l
was obliged to remain there during the
night. l fixed myself in that part of the
trunk from which the principal grand
branches forked, and which prevented
me from falling during my fitfui slumbers.
On the 9th, little after sunrise, the
bear quilted the trunk, shook himself,
cast a longing, lingering look towards me
and disappeared in search of his morn
ing's repast. After waiting some time
apprehensive of his return, descended
and resumed my journey through the
woods, in a north-north-east direction.
In few hours all my anxiety of the pre-
cedng night was more than compensated
by falling in with well beaten horse
path, with fresh traces on it both of hOof
and human feet it lay through clear
open wood in northeast course in which
l observed numbers of small deer.--A-
bout six in the evening, arrived at u
spot where party must have slept the
preceding night. Round the remains Of
a large fire which was still burning, were
scattered several half picked bones of
grouse, partridges, and ducks. all Of
which 1 collected with economical in
dustry. After devouring the flesh I
broiled the bones. The whole scarcely
sufficed to give me moderate meal, but
yet afforded most seasonable relief to
my famished body. ! enjoyed a comfort
able sleep this night close to the fire un-
disturbed by any nocturnal visitors"
Towards the evening of the 29th, the