Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-12-14
From the Lowell Journal.
AN AFRICANS REVENGE.
IA THRILLING rALE.l

novel Of Altar Cul. The scene j. laid
in Guadalupe. 1t is merely necessa-
~ to premise that Altar Gul is a IA
vorite slave, whom colonel Willis
brought from Africa several years be
fore the event described Is supposed to
have taken place. Altar Gul always
appeared faithful 10 his master. and
grateful for his kindness to him; but
in secret he brooded over the loss 81
his liberty, and resolved to be deeply
resenged. Smiles shown OH his ooun-
tenancc, but deadly hatred rangled in
his heart.
When Altar Gul had nearly reached
the summit of the mountain, the sun
mad already risen, aud the lofty height
of La Soufiriere threw their shades to
a great distance across the vallies be-
low. As he was about entering a sort
Of dell, formed Of huge blocks ofgran-
tie, which seemed to have been fan
tastlcally heaped up around, he heard
a fearful sound, and stopped short--it
was the sharp hiss Of "a serpsnt!-IIe
soon after heard the flapp, g Of wings
over his head, and on looking up, he
saw one Of those large birds, called
Secretaries, or Man Of War birds com
mon in tropical climates, Which having
already deserted the serpent was max
ing wide circles in the air, but ap-
preaching nearer his destined prey
every moment.
The serpent seemed aware Of the
inferiority Of his force-and was rapid
xne hiding towards his den wheh the
6!rd, apparently aware ofhis intention,
descended with the rapidity Of light
ming and alightcd in his Path-and
With bis large wings, which were ter
minated witt, II bony protuberaEce,
and which served hun both AS Il war
club and shield, he effectually pre-
vented the retreat OF the yenomons
reptile.
The serpent now became cnraged,
ard the beautiful and variegated coiors
of his skin, sparklcd in the sun like
rings of gold and azure. Ills head
GrightfuIl, swollen with rage and We
nom-he dar.ed out his forkcd tongue,
ana I1IcO Tie sttt Will tuSSCSs
The huge bird extended one Of his
wings, and with a longing eye on the
serpent, advanced to the the conflict,
but hi, wary antagonist watched his
movement, and with quick motions OF
his body to the right and left, eyaded
his attacks, until finding his mode Of
warfare would not long avail him, he
at length daried ut the bird, aud vain
" attempted to fix his poisonous fangs
in his body, ard crush him in his fold.
But the Secretary caught him in one
Of his claws, and with furious blow
ofhls beak fractured his scull. The
serpent struggled violently for few
moments; but resistance was useless
and he was soon stretched lifeless be
fore his victorious enemy.
But ere the bird had time to enjoy
the fruits OF his victory, the report OF a
musket was heard, and the Secretary
in his turn, lay dead by the side Of his
venomous antagonist. Altar Gul turn
ed his head, and saw Theodore stand
ing on a rock above HIM nth fowling
piece in his hard.
sWcll, Altar Gull said the young
man. sliding down from the summit of
the rock; was not that we'll donee
IL was good shot. snaster-but l
am sorr, that YOU have killed the bird
for these Secretaries wage war with
the venomous serpents with which our
mountains are infested And the
black pointed to the venomous reptile
which was seven or eight feet long and
four or five inches in diameter.
'Ahr exclaimed Theodore--'I re-
greet i. now for ! do detest these hid
eous serpent~-1 would give half my
fortune to be able to exterminate the
Monsters
You are right master, said Altar
Gul. sThey are great nuisance. and
their bite almost always proves fatal
1T is not only that. said the young
man. but you know that my betrothed
Margeurite--whom If Heaven wills.
am to wed to morrow, has a most IN.
accountable antipathy to the sight Of
one Of these animals. Less 80 now,
than formerly ] confess; for once the
name Of snake would almost deprive
her ofscnsa,ion. But her faith =. her
mother. and myself have at various