The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-11-14
Mis- CELL lA0USo
AN AFRICANS REVENGE.

The following thrilling tale is translated
from passage in Engene Sues French
novel of Altar GUL. The scene is laid in
Gnadaoupe' It's merely necessary 10
promise that Altar Gui is fayorite slave,
whom Colonel Willis brought from Africa
several years before the event described is
supposed to have taken place, Altar Gull
always appeared faithful to his master, and
grateful for his kindness to him-but in Sc
erat he brooded over The loss of his liberty,
and resolved 10 be deeply revenged. Smiles
shone in his countenauce but deadly haired
rankled in his heart
When Altar Gull had nearly resched the
summit ofthe mountain the sun had already
risen, and the lofty heights Of La Soullrierce
tlrsw their shades to great distance across
The vslIes below. AS he was about enter
ing a sort Of dell, formed Of huge blocks of
granite, which seemed to have been fanlas-
ticaIy heaped up around; he heard fearful
sound, and stopped short-it was the sharp
hiss Of serpent He soon afterwards
heard the tapping of wings over his head,
and on looking up, he saw one of ihose
large birds, called Secretaries, or Men of
War Birds, common in tropical climates,
which having already described the serpent
was making wide circuits in the air, but
approaching nearer his destined prey every
moment.
The serpent seemed aware of the inferior
ity Of his force-and was rapidly gliding
towards his den, when the bird, apparently
aware Of his itent, descended with the ra-
pidity Of lightning and aligAted in his path
and with his large wings which were
terminated With bOny protuberance, and
which served both as war club and shield
he eaeclually prevented the retreat of the
ysnomous reptile.
The serpent now became enragcd and the
beautiful and varlagaIed color OF the skin,
sparkled in the sun like gold and azure
His head was Grghfully swollen with rage
and venom mhe darted out his forksd tongue
and filled the air with his hsses.
The hugh bird extended one of its wings
and with a longing eye on the serpent ad-
vanced to the conflict, but his wary antago-
Rist watched his movement ,and with quick
motions of his body to the right and left,
eyaded his attacks, until finding that this
mode of warfare would not long avail him,
he at length darted at the bird, and in vain
attempted 10 fix his poisonous fang: in his
body, and crush him in his folds. But the
Secretary caught him in one of his claws,
and with furious blow of his beak ,fractur-
ed his scull The serpent struggled vio-
lenily for few moments-but resistance
was useIess-and he was soon stretched
lifeess before his victorious enemy.
But ere tho bird had time to enjoy the
fruits Of his victory, the report of a musltsl
was heard.and the Secretary in his turn lay
dead by the side Of his venomous antagonist
Altar Gull turned his head and saw Theodore
standing on a rock above him with afOwling
piece in his hand.
well, Altar Gull" said the young man
sliding down from the summit Of the rock
was not that we'll done!"
1T was a good shot, master-but am
orry you have killed the bird-for these
Secretaries wage war with the venomous
with which our mountains are in
ested." The black pointed to the vsno-
nous reptile-which was seven or eight
eet long and four or five inches in dame
err
'Ah!' exclaimed Theodore-I regret it
ow--for do detest these hideous seIpents
i would give half my fortune to be able
D extermnate the Monsters c
You are right MASTER says Altar Gull. S
They are great nuisance, and their bite
lmost always proves fatal" j
at is not only that" said the young
lan, "but you know that my beuothed e
iarguerle-whom if Heaven wills, | am Z