Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-07-20

HE KING Sales.--future is a large
species of speckled snake, commonly CAL
led. IN the Southern States, the King
snake. because lie is the most formidable
enemy OF the ratllesnake. II seems TO
be the chief object Of bis existence to
seek, TO pursue, and destroy the latter
whose retreats and presence are discov-
cred by the emission of peculiar smell.
resembling that of the cucumber vine.
The king shake, to almost all other rep
tiles, is the most gentle and harmless of
creatures; you may strike him. he shows
no resentment. he Kisses bot, ne turns
not, nor does be exhibit any terror or
slugsishness. Drawn by the smell Of
the cucumber, he frequently cutters gar
dens. but his appearance excites no dis
may In any human being that knows he.
Is the King snake on the contrary, wo-
men and children will approach him.
turn him about with stick, and play
fully annoy him with impunity he is
only RELENTLESS enemy of the rattle
snake, whose strength and venom avail
nothing against the activity and mode of
attack Of the king snake. who is always
victor IN every combat. Yet the rattle
snake is terrible reptile. There is
peculiarly appalling in the sound of its
rattles. being unlike the noise Of any oth-
er creature, and when you hear it the
first time, the true instinct of nature i'm
presses on your qnsiliOg heart that danger
and death are near. Never shall I for
get one horrid event Of my life Twas
fishing in Southern lake one summer
day. when az unusual disposition 10 sleep
affected me. stuck the end of nv fish
ing rod III the bank Of the lake, and
sought beautiful place Of shade to enjov
rePose. l laid my self Gu the grass be-
tween two trees scarcely six feet apart
from each other. my head resting against
one, and my feet against. the other. I
slept when awoke turned to one side.
and perceived at some distance from me
two brilliant orSs, and instantly a trem-
ulous, mingled sensation of an indehna-
BILE nature came upon my faculties.
Something oil an instructive dictate or i'm.
pulse ceuncelled me TO avert NV look.
but then there was such an absorbino
wishful delight in gazing into ewes that
Intently and meltingly gazed into mine.
that even the tremulous puisation of
fear fixed my frame, and remained So
fascinated that could see nothing bu.
the most beautiful eoiors. In short r
"as totally lost, SO completely bewilder-
ed with commingled emotions, that l
could not withdraw my gaze, nor even
move. Suddenly the ltiug eyeballs
glared with sparks Of fire there was a
momens-I awoke from dreamy state.
saw huge raitleSnake its gaze was
disturbed, and when heard the hateful
rattle sound, the full danger OF nv situa-
ton aroused me, and through all NV
frame felt the extremity of terror and
Just as was on the point OF obeyinp a
freDzied impulse TO rise and ly. l felt The
deadly reptile, as thought, coilinp a
round my neck saw part of his BODY.
ieit The Shiny skin upon uuy neck and
he SILVER OF horror went through everv
Ioint and member Of my frame. Such q
feeling OF agony my eyebais were filed
with screening fire first red, next vel
owish green. Oh, there are moments
81 existence which involve the sensation
Of years, and when the whole detail of
thousand feelings scarcely occupy the
'ret space Of a leisure thought. Nature
could endure no more, and / lost ALI
eDse' AT length | bad the painful
lneiing sensation Of returning life tbro'
ny veins, and when in full consciousness
arose from the earth. and saw near me
tranquility and quietly living King
snake, aud, further of, the lil.less
ength OF a tremendous Rattlespake 7
at upon log and reflected, and I am
low satisfied that the King Snake had
rePt over my neck to my rescue. there
'eing large log on one side, and the
axe on the other, so that his nearest
oa'e 20 'he enemy was over my body.
'ut although my life was proyidenIislIv
reserved, yet the effects of that scene
re the exhaustion of great portion of
~ excitability, and the introduct;on If
ray mars and premature debility in all
ny powers OF mind and body.
RnecdOies oFfhe g ~