The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-01


o game and in climbing a rugged ledge Of rocks
interspersed with shrubs and dwaJfsh trees, was
startled by quick, grating rattle. i looked for
ward On the edge of a loosened rock lay large
rattlesnake, colling himself, as if for the deadly
spring lie was within few feet Of me, and
paused for an instant TO survey him. l know not
why, but stood still, and looked AT the deadly
pent with strange feeling of curiosity. Suddenly
he unwound his coil, if rclcnting from his purpose
OF hostility, and raising his head he fixed his bright
merry eye directly upon my own. A chrilling and
ndscribabe sensation totally different from anything
which had ever before experienced, followed this
movement of the serpent; but stood STILL and gaz-
ed steadily and earnestly, for at that moment there
was vlsabe change IN the reptile. ii is form SEEM
ed to grow larger, and his colors brgher.-Eis body
moved with "A slow, almost mperceptibe motion, to-
wards me, and a low hum of music came from him
or, at least, 1t sounded in my cara strange,
sweet melody, faint that which mclts from the
throat OF the hummlng bird. Then the tints of his
body deepened, and changed and gowed like the
changes of beautiful kaleidoscope, green purple,
and gold, until lost sight of the serpent entirely,
and saw only wild and curiously woven circles OF
strange colors quyering around me like amos-
phere ofranbows. | seemed in the centre of great
prsm-a world OF mysterious colors and the tints
varied and darkened, and Iiehtend, up again around
"''' "''" 'hS ~" ccdSlng, ufl-
I'll my brain reeled, and fear for the first time came
like shadow over me. The new sensation gain
ed upon me rapidly, and could feel the cold sweat
gushing from my brow. had certainty of dan
ger in my mind no definite idea of peril all was
vague and clouded, like the unaccountable terrors
OF dream I; and yet my limbs shook, and fancied
could feel the blood stGeniug with cold as il pas
sed through my veins. i would have given worlds
to have been able 10 tear myself from the spot:
even attempted to DO so, but the body obeyed not
the mind Not muscle stirred, and | stood STILL
as If my feet had grown to the solid rock with the
Internal music of the tempter in my ear, and the
bacful colorings Of his enclantmcnt still before me-
Suddenly new sound came my ear; F.; it was
a human voice ; but 1t seemed strange and awful
AgaIn-agan-but stirred not; and then white
form plunged before me, and grasped my arm. The
horrible spell was at once broken. The strange
coors passed from before my vision. The rattle
snake was coIlmg at my very feet, with glowing
eyes and uplIftcd fangs, and my wife was cngng
with terror upon me. The next instant the serpent
threw himself upon US. My wife was the victim
The fatal fang pierced deeply into the hands and
her scream of agony, she staggered backwards
from me, told the dreadful truth.
Then ii that a feeling of madness came
upon me; ! saw the foul serpent stealing away from
his work ofdcath, reckless of danger sprang for
ward andcrushedh him under my feet, grinding him in
pieces upon the ragged rocks. The oroans of nv
wife now recalled me to her side and to the horrible
reality of her situation. There was dark lvid
spot on her hand and it deepened into blackness as
| led her away. We were at a considerable distance
from any dwelling, and after wandering for short
time, the pain of her wound became nsupportabe to
my wife and she swooned away in my arms Weak
and exhausted as was, had yet strength enough
remaining to carry her to the nearest rivule, and
bathe her brow in the cool water She partially re-
covered, and sat down upon the bank, while | sup
ported her head upon my bosom. Hour after hour
passed away, and none came near us alone in the
great wilderness, watched over her, and praved
with her, and she died.
The old man groaned audiblv, as he uttered these
words; as he claspcd his long bony hands over his
eyes, could see the tears falling thckly through
his gaunt fingers. Aiiera momentary struggle with
his feelings, he lifted his head more, and there
was fierce light in his eye he spoke.
" But have had my revenge. From that fatal
moment have felt myself fitted and set apart by the
terrible ordeal of aflicton to rid the place of my
abode of its fouest curse. And have well nigh
succeeded The fascinating demons are already
few and powerless. Do not imagine" said he, ear
nes'iy regarding the somewhat equvocal expression
OF my counenance, that consider these creatures
as serpents only; creeping serpents they are the
servants OF the fallen angel; the immediate minis
ters of the internal God'