The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-20
A SLAVES REVENGE.

[The following thrilling passage ha
been translated in the Boston Journa
from passage in Eugene Sues Frencl
novel of Altar Gul. The scene is lai(
in Guadaloupe. 1t is merely necessa
ry to premise that Altar Gul is favor
ite slave-whom Col. Willis brough
from Africa several years before thi
event is supposed to have taker
place. Altar Gul always had appear
ed faithful to his master, and faithful
for his kindness to him. Like Henry
Clay's slaves he was fat and sleek
But in secret he brooded over the loss
ofhis liberty, and resolved to be deep
ly revenged. Smiles shone on his coun'
tenance, bat deadly hatred ranked in
his BOSOM.
When Altar Gul had nearly reached
the summit of mountain, the sun had
already risen, and the lofty heights Of
La Soufraire threw their shadows to a
great distance across the valley below.
AS he was about to enter a sort ofdell,
formed ofhuge blocks of granite, which
seemed to have been fantastically heap
ed around, he heard fearful sound,
and stopped short. 1t was the sharp
hiss of a serpent He soon heard the
tapping of wings overhead, and on
looking up saw one Of those large birds
called Secretaries, or Man-of-war birds,
common in the tropical climates, which,
having already deserted the serpent,
was making large circles in the air, but
approaching nearer to his destined prey
every moment.
The serpent seemed to be aware Of
the inferiority of his force, and was
rapidly gliding towards his den, when
the bird, apparently aware ofhis inten-
ton, descended with the rapidity Of
lightning and alighted in his path; and
with his large wings, which terminated
with a bony protuberance, and served
him both as war clnb and shield, he
effectually prevented the retreat of the
venemous serpent.
The serpent now became enraged,
and the variagated colors of his skin
s)arkled in the sun like rings OF gold
and azure.-His head was irighttully
swollen with rage and venom-he dar-
ted out his forked tongue and filed the
air with his Kisses.
The huge bird extended one of his
wings and with longing eye on the
serpent, advanced to the conflict; but
his wary antagonist watched his move
ments, and with quick motions of his
body to the right and left, evading his
attacks, until finding this mode of war
fare would not avail him, he at length
darted at the bird, and vainly attempt
ed to fix his poisonous fangs in his body,
and crush him in his foiIs. But the
Secretary caught him in one of his
claws, and with furious blow of his
beak fractured his skull. The serpent
struggled violently for few moments
but resistance was useless and he
was soon stretched lfeless before his
victorious enemy.
But ere the bird had time to enjoy
his victory, the report of musket
was heard, and the Secretary in his
turn lay dead by the side ofhis venom
Gus antagonist. Altar Gul tnrncd his
head and saw Theodore standing up
on rock above him, with fowling
piece in his hand.
"Well, Altar Gul, said the young
man, sliding down the summit of the
rock, twas not that well done?"
at was good shot master, but am
sorry you killed that bird, for these Sec
retaries wage war with the venomous
serpents with which our mountains are
infested" And the back pointed to
the dead reptile, which was seven or
eight feet in length and between four
and five inches in diameter.
"Ah!" exclaimed Theodore; 81 re-
gret it now, for do detest those hide
Gus serpents. would give half my
fortune to exterminate those mon
sters."