Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-03-31
THE RATTLE SNAKE BITE.
A FOREST ADVENTURE


In one OF my hunting exclusions abroad on
a fine morning; j was accompanied by my wife
I left nv companion for a short time, IN pur
suit of game, and in climbing rugged ledge
ofrocks interpreted with shrubs and dwarfish |
trees. i was started by a quick grating rattle
looked forward. On the edge of a loosened |
rock Law large rattle snake, coillng himself |
up, as if for the deadly spring. he was with |
in few feet of me; and paused for an instant |
To survey him. / know not why, but stood
still and looked at the deadly serpent with
strange feeling of curiosity. Suddenly he un
wound his coil as relenting frorn his purpose OF
hostility. and raising his head, be fixed his
bright fiery eyes directly upon my oTn. A
| chilling and indescribably sensation, totally,
different from any thing had ever before ex-
perienced, followed his movement OF the ser
pent: but stood still and gazed steadily and
earnestly, for that moment there was visible
change in the reptile. His form seemed to
iprow larger and his colour brighter. HIS body
moved with slow, almost lmpercephble mo-
ton towards me, and low hum OF music came
from hirn--or at least II sounded in my cara
strange, sweet melody; faint as that which
; melts from the throat of the humming bird.
. Then the tint of his body deepened and chang
, ed to a beautiful kaleidoscope purple
: and gold. until lost sight of the serpent en-
, tirely. and only saw Wild curiously woven CIR
cles of stranger colors quiyering around me
!, like an atmos phere of rainbows. Iseemed II
,, the center of a great prism-a world OF mys.
. ferrous color: and the tintS varied and darken
ed and lighted up again around me; and the
low sweet music went on without ceasng un
e til nv brain reeled, and fear Tor the hrst tune
came like shadow over me. The new sensa
ton gained rapidly, and | could feel the col
sweat gushing from my brow. | had no Ger
taipty of danger in mymind-all definite idea
of peril were vague and clouded, ike the IN
accountable terrors of dream-and yet m
limbs shook, and fanciedI could feel til
blood stifened with cold as it passed alon
nv veins. would have given worlds to hay
been able to bear myself from the spot
even attempted to do so, but the body obeye
not the IMPULSE of the lnnd-not muse
stirred. and | stood still, as if my feet h;
GROWN to the solid rock; with the internal m
Sic of the tempter in my ear, and the balei
colour.ng of his enchantment before me.
Suddenly new sound came uTon my c
it was human voice--but It seemed stran
and awful. Again-agair-but stirred NJ
and then white form plunged before me,
, grasped my arm. The horrld spell was
once broken--The strange coloIs passed III
= before nv vision. The Rattlesnake was C
ino at nv feet, with glowing eyes, upli
9ols a6gs; and my wife clinging with terror ~
me me. The rext instant the serpent threw b
I'M. self upon Us. My wife was the victim! ]
ross fatal fangs pierced deeply in her hand
screams of agony as sic staggered oackwa
fem me, told me the dreadful truth.
Ly- Th.ni was that Of madness {;
NJ upon me; and when ! aw the foul serI
chen stealing away from his work Of DEATH reek
nfor. of danger sprang forward and crust el
etely under nv feet grinding HIN TO pieces on
<abi- RAGGED rock. The groans OF my vile roV
Kon- called me to her lie, fnl to the horrible
-ope- ;tv Of her situation. There was dark
ious- spot on her hand, and it deepened into bl
Kan ness as | led her away. We were at a col
letely cradle distance frnm any dwelling; and
laut;- wandering for short time, the pain OF
etully wound became nnsqRpoE5a95le te nay ylis'
aud cyl austet1 as was. yet bad strength en-
Kro- remaining to carry her to the nearest e, II
Kom. and batbed her brow in cold water. sh'
t;alIv recovered and sat down upon the
while / supported her head upon my .
Hour aftea hour passed away, and none
au'nui near us-and there in the great wlderhe
&c tho died.