Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-12-17
NO. 80

against every attack. Much as | admired
the sp!endor OF its garments. not less did
wonder al the enormous size aud length Of
this terrible creature. But the Tranquility
OF our observations was suddenly disturbed.
The animal dessted from her airy gamboIs
and laid herself down close to the threshold
OF the circular pavilion, accomplishing it
entire, as if determined to secure her in
tended victim.
Deeply penetrated with sense of that
danger by which my friend was menaced, I
forgot my own, and SEEING my gun placed
1t to my shoulder, the ball whistied through
the air. was an excellent marksman and
was certain that had pointed my piece
exactly at the monsters head !; and yet,
whether too great anxiety made my hand
shake, or thai the animal at that very mo-
ment made some sleight change in her att-
tude, know not but it is at least certain,
that not the slightest shrinking gave me
reason to believe that she fel, herself at all
injured. On the contrary, she only busted
herseii IN renewing her attempts to gain an
entrance through the paviion's windows;
TILL at length, seemingly wearied vith her
unavaIling efforts, she retired slowly, and
concealed herself under the verdant UNI.
brela of the pamtrees. We also had re-
gained our former lurking place, though
we were now more irresolute than ever as
10 the means most proper TO be adopted
towards the rescue OF my friend.
While we stood thus with our eyes fixed
lmmovabIy upon the pavilion, we observed
the door 10 be slightly agtated. After a
minute, The lock was gently drawn; slowly,
and with the utmost caution, did the door
expand about the breadth of half foot.
and out sprang tie little Psyche, beauti-
full Italian greyhound, Seafeld's favorite
play-lel!ow, and insepatahle companion.
As If conscious of her danger, she rushed
down the hill with her utmost swiflness;
but with still greater swiftness did the Ana
conda, in one monstrous spring, dart rat
tling down from its airy covert, The poor
little animal was seized; we could lust
hear short half-supported cry, which
marked its dying agony.
The distress occasioned in my mind by
this sight, in itself SO painful aud disgusting.
was converted into agony by the reflections
10 which 1t gave birlh after the first mo-
ments of horror and surprise were past.
Zadl was positive that he had observed a
inland fastened round the neck of the ami
NAL, 20 which something white appeared
10 be attached, in form resembling a letter.
1t was then message to US cry for as
sIslance; sacred injunction that we should
not abandon him al this season Of his Ut
most need But what course were we TO
pursue We discharged voley from our
firearms, and hail of bullets raited about
4 bn he ad pf tho L.
unaValling. Day drew to close. We
returned 10 the house, there TO sustain the
dropping spirits of the miserable vile.
Nlght passed away. 1t was a night of
misery, and the dawn Of the day found us
still devlsing schemes for tie liberation Of
Seafielc. AT length-strange that such a
brilliant idea had not occurred sooner
Zadi proposed, that if we could bv any
means satlate the appetite Of the anaconda
with food, his masters life might vet be
saved. Happy thought but alas, there
was not living animal on the estate-all
had been sometime before removed 20 pas
lures in the distant part Of the country
We remembered, however, that upon the
adjacent property of Van Derkel, the rich
Holander. we might possibly procure what
we wanted. In this our hopes were not
but not a slave would UNDER
take to drive the herd ofcattle 70 the neigh
brrhood OF the spot " here the snake had
taken up her abode, and took upon my
self the risk of the adventure
Behold me then, driving the herd of
beasts before me. We arrived near the
group Of palm trees, every thing was hushed
aud Tranquil; not sound was to De heard.
except the noise of the scattered branches.
as the cattle trampleG them beneath their
feet; the anaconda seemed TO have Gisap-
peared altogether. But on sudden loud
and rafting rush was heard among the
palms, aud with single spring, the snake
darIed down like thunder clap, and twist
ed herself with her whole body round her
DEVOTED victim. Before the animal was vet
aware Of his danger, he already felt his
dewlap enclosed between the expanded Jaws
of the monster. Roaring aloud he endeay-
ed to fly, and succeeded in dragging his
tormentor a few yards away with him; but
Instantly she coiled herself round him three
or four wide folds, and drew these knots so
close tog ether, that the entangled beast was
incapable of moving, and remained as if
rooted to the place, already struggling with
the terrors and pang of death. The first
noise of this extraordinary contest had been
sufficient to put the remaining cattle to
flight. Unequal as was the strife, still it
was not over instantly. The noble beast
wanted not spirit To defend himself nor was