Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-08-24
SER PRINT HUN TING.

"
held IN which they reap abundant harvest OF repu
taton. at length found myself at Barbados, without
any liked resolution either proceed farther
IN my wnndcrings. In such wavcring and unsettled
state OF mind, little matter will sometimes the scale
had carried letter 10 gentleman OF the Island with
whom formed most agreeable ncquan,anccshp; and IN
consequence of the description he of the Of
South America induced form the resolution of visit
ing, at least OF that country before should think Of
bending my course homcwaris. Being furnished by him
with letters To individuals who might be OF
service TO me, took passage a ship bound Dcmc-
rara after in degree remarkable Tor shortness
novelty, landed there in safety will stop here
describe all saw. Suffice saw that having viewed all
considered worthy of being noticed, set oil across the
country TO deliver OF the letters carried with to
gentleman from whose and knowledge had been
ASSURED should obtain much information After jour
o some days reached the place: and considering
that had been previously utter was received
with degree OF warmth and kindness could scarcely have
anticipated The estate, rather plantation, on which
had been kindly to take up my residence
time, and where had resolved spend n few weeks in
examining the local scenery and curioscs upon the
banks OF rver that comes down from the mountains of
Guiana. Mr. Heinvuult ttho proprietor although the
perntendence OF his occupied great part OF his
tine, conved to devote inconderabe porton OF To
INV amusement. Accompanied by couple of servants
and CTsa hrcwd aud active negro who held the post OF
hunter parsonage only useful but TO
those who reside colonial distant from any town.
as many OF the decaces of the table furnished by
him., frequent excursions mp the country and
committed occasionally sad havoc among the quadrpeds
and cathcred tribes with which that region abUunds. At
other manned a couple OF canoes, and descend
the rNGr, employ ell ourselves fishing EXCURSIONS
taking shot such birds unfortunately for them
selves came within range of pieces. Those who
acquainted with the general appearance and topography OF
the northern OF South America know well that
the atnoS of the country approaches the many
of considerable magnitude divide themselves
numerous streams canals, before minglng their
with those Of the The doiias islands formed 10y
these streams arc sometimes OF great extent consisting
like most OF that coast of marshy savannah land partly
bare and partly by tall reeds and other
aquatic plants In the thick and almost
OF these reptiles OF various kinds often find retreat from
which they occasionally emerge search of their prey
The streams many places requented by birds OF the
most varegated and beautiful pumage, and the at
ford several kinds Of sh, which rom their decacy and
tavour, amply repay the labor employed in taking them
q had been informed both by Mr. H. and Caesar that
penis OF great size had been frequently by them
the LagoUns from island another and that b. great
exeruon and they had succeeded ndes
uoyIrg few. confess had been tor anxious
10 discover OF the reptiles; that wished close
connection with it-iar from it, The little hHd Of
them had given aversion them and this feeling
much heightened by the numerous stories had heard Ut
their fearful powers of deglution. | had objections,
however TO view distance, dragging tremb-
ling length along" But in all nothing of
tins kind 10 be and had begun
latent suspicious that Mr. leinyault and Caesar had little
exaggerated the number and of the reptiles they had
and destroyed But adventure after tins befe
me, which made me entirely change my opinion of their
veraciy and convinced their rather fell short
OF than exceeded the truth. Occasionally, when pressing
business detained MIR ii. his plantation called him
distance, and when found time hang heavy upon my
hands, Caesar was always willing volunteer his services
my guide aud assistant any rambcs which wished to
undertake; and clever and active fellow indeed found
hn. lie capital shot, and uncqualed in the success
with which he cOnyed hook his fish when would
look at the bait belonging another.
Onc day about three weeks after arrival Mr.
Heinvault informed that he under the necessity of
going 10 plantation distant about miles, and way
lay partly through the woods and acess savannas he
Obliged to take Cesar with him. lie being the only the
estate who had thorough knowledge the way and who
from Inns dcStey and address proved useful agreea
BILE attendant lie added that he should be back early in
md hnfi I'D ,toL.
the water the OF his people should be dis posa
After Mr. H. had rode away soed about the plantation an
hour ortwo, looking every thing myself but get
tag terribly weared with doing nothing. told one Of
the people 10 get the lines ready for my intention TO
go out ashing for time, the day being rather
and sultry for enjoying Shooting excursion.
These being ready, likewise for my gun and
deced the offer he made attend me, pushed into
the stream and dropped slowly down the river. The
rent being very slow, while in reaching the place
where the branches oil into number osroas Iguded
my canoe into OF those in which had formerly been
along with Cesar and where sport had been very good
lhe stream IN general above eighteen
feet. paddled my light up and down this trying
to get shot Of the beautiful birds which often c
quent csc lugoors But the birds and shy
fauIued with this unsuccessful sport, the lines and
paddle lord about some time drew them up; but whet
they had not been blted well CTsar used to do T.
or VIII ter the fish were shy the birds, el
Du! after lew trials got tired OF this sport Sewise-
Thinking | would be successful elsewhere pro-
ccedtd about quarter mile further down. and lines
by this time the day had become c1ccedng sutry and op
pessye. Seeing there prospect OF d shot took
OIL my stockings aud shoes, aud bahed my feet the wa
ter aud working my the other side, laid my gun
ready loaded shot upon the benches stretched my
sell alongside OF IT, Whiting till 1t time to draw tho
lines which had In this position fell asleep over
come as suppose by the heat Of the day, aud the fatigue
had Undergone.
know not how long may have slept, but was reused
from my sImbcr by curious sensation, as some
animal were licking my foot la thlt Of half supor
ieli alter immediately awakng from sleep my eyes
downward and never I'LL my lying shall forge, the thrill
G." horror that passed through nay peceiving the
neck aud head OF serpent covering my foot
wlth saliva, preparatory, Immediately flashed upon my
mnd to com nenclng the progress o swallowing IT, had
laced death IN many shapesOn tie ocennOn the battle
hcld but never ul that had conceived he could
appronci me in guise terrible. For moment and but
moment, was fascinated. But recollection OF my Stale
soon came 10 my aid, and quickly withdrew my foot from
the mons ter, which was all the while glazing upon me with
It's bnsisk eyes, and the grasp
ed my gun, which lying loaded beside me. The rep
Tie, apparently disturbed by my motion Il conceive had
previously, from my incrne.s taken dead carcaso)
drew M head below the level Of the had Just sul.
ceht ne ~ rac myself half up pointing the muzZle OF ny
piece IN the direction n" tire serpent when It's head aud neck
again appeared moving back wards aud Or,, search
OF the object 10 had lost The muZzc Of my gun whina
yard of Two Of ~ my finger the trigger; fired, and
received the shot n the heod. Rearing part Of it, body
with horrible sa, which made my blood run cUld--and
10y i' cpu'OrlOns displaying my sight gont portion Of
MS enormous buis which had hitherto escaped my notice
II seemed ready throw itself upon it, monstrYus
coils Dropping my gun, 10y single stroke Of the paddles
made the shoot up the stream out Of his reach
Just a. was escaping could observe that the shot had
tncn elect uT blood beginning drop from its head.
But the wound appeared rather have cngcd than sub.
ducd him Unfortunately al my shot expended other
wise would most certainly a respectful distance have
given him saluaton Of the kind had Just be.
slowed. All that have described pissed a much short
| cr time than have taken up in rCcyuntiug u.