The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-02-09
THE VOICE OF DOM

Bengal. Upwards of twenty thousand lives were
lost and the cattle, crops, houses, and stores were
all washed away. The country being low plain,
the tops of the houses were crowded with the suf-
lerers, while the water continued to rise, hooking
all the efforts made to escape, and the buildings
and people fell and persisted together.
The inundation was so great that all the ami
mails OF the forest were;S for time, driven from
their accustomed haunts, and forced to seek Sc
curlty IN trees or elevated spots of ground. The
serpent, whose skin have SENT was probably,
from this cause, driven from the Soonderbunds,
and found its way to the missionary station to
Kristnapore, which is situated on the northwest
em edge of those dreary forests The master 70
the mission school resided in small native house
adjoining the chapel compound; but, on account
of the effects of inundation. which in a degree,
had reached that comparatively elevated spot, did
not sleep in his own house, but spread his mat in
the verandah of the chapel. Early the next
morning before it was light, he went into the
house to procure some rice for his morning meal
and knowing exactly where to find it, he extend
ed his arm towards the spot, and placed his hand
on large cold and Shiny body. Horror-struck
he instantly retreated, and called loudly for help
declaring that some mrito daiok jomtoo "death-
giving ANIMAL" had taken possession of his
house. Lights having been procured, the serpent
was discovered coiled up and fast asleep. With
long bamboes the people soon disturbed it's slum-
bers, and inflicted a severe wound on the under
side of its body. Erecting ITSELF and rapidly dar-
ting forward, it dispersed its adversaries and
though many attack ks were made, it kept posses
sion of the house for considerable time. Al
length rope with moose was thrown in, and
caught the animal by the neck, when it was drag
ged forth and fastened to tree. | tbeing the day
on which | usually visited the village, accompan.
led by brother L., repaired to the place, anC
found the serpent considerably injured by the
blows it had received. Imagining that it was
nearly Dead we loosened the moose and dragged
the creatute into the middle of the compound
where for little while we left it, whilst we wen
into the chapel to make arrangements for the ser
vices of the day, when, to our surprise, by the
cries of the people, we found it was making its
escape. Fastening to the spot, we observed tina
it was only prevented from entirely efectiug it;
purpose by the rope entering the wound on the
under side of its body, before alluded to. Mr.. L
Immediately seized the rope, and frightened the
moose, which, irritated the animal, it reared its
body, and, with widely extended jaws, dartea a
our brother, in a most frightful manner. Mr.. L..
however, by his activity, eluded the attacks of the
animal and, though pursued around the com
pound, kept possession of the rope until another
moose was thrown over its head and the recap
tured animal was hung up on one Of the pillars
which support the roof of the chapel, and was
there killed twas apparently young serpent
and not more than half the size to which it would
have obtained in a few years. 1t was Is feet
long, and % inches in circumference. 1t could
have swallowed kid or child with great ease