Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-04-13

The following horrible adventure occurred to
me some time ago, when travelling in the Valley
! of the Mississippi. Those whohave been there
viii recoect the rayincs which are often met
with back among the bluffs caused BY the wash
ings in the alluvial by the frequent and tremen-
dous rains; these ravines are over one hundred
feet deep, and extend for a mile or more.
One morning | took my gun and raInhled out
for game.
Whistling as went, FOR want OF thought.
\ had strolled don't know how far, with but
indifferent success, thinking more Of Mary, the
lblue-eyed daughter of my host, and how to catch
her, rather than bag paftidges when came to
one of those large deep ravnes which nature has
lplowed in the soil. Being tired, concluded j
would venture to descend and climb up again.
rather than go round, for the distance seemed
near a quarter Of a mile. and the ravine was not
over hundred feet deep. While scrambling
on the opposite side, and mid way, to my hor-
roT saw coiled at the foot Of clump Of bushes,
a huge rattlesnake had almost put nv foot
j upon HIM, when the snake, reused at the intru-
sion upon his solitude, rose and rapidly coiled
himself around me. Had had time for thought,
/ | should not have acted better than did which
was impuisveiy to throw my gun away, and
seize the snake near the head. moments
hesitation would have been fatal to me. Here
| was, forty or fifty feet above the bottom Of the
rayine, holding with one hand to the bushes to
prevent myself foin falling down the almost per-
pendicnlsr height, and with the other having
hold Of the snakes head. To fling the snake
away was my FIRST idea, but that was too danger
Gus, besides, being nearly eight feet leng, he was
too tightly coiled round me. knew no house
was near and the cotton fields which had been
through We're not likely to be trave rsed by any
one !; therefore alfsuccor from others was thing
neither TO be hoped, or expected
Minutes passed like hours The serpent was Kissing
darling out his horrible forked tongue; his tail wa,
weighing, and his railles gong. and e4ery now and
then fancied heard his cal answered w Others
much too rear for my pleasure. 4 long as held
my present advantage there was no danger from my
bosom companion, but unless something turned up 10
relieve me. could not hold on I'LL the snake died Of
old age or want Of food. But when our fortunes
al the lowest there is turning point bright idea
rushed INTO my head. 30 bite his head off" Having
hold Of iis snakes head with my right hand could
not. even il would. have lei 20 The bush with my
left and used ms knife which was in the RICH, peck
ct Of my irowsers
There is an old nursery rhyme winch speaks abon,
-Four and twenty black birds baked in pie,
When the pie was opened, the birds began 10 sing,
Was not that aldanty dish 70 set before the Kmgs'
However, The King might have reisted live black
BIRDS. doubt It he would have aneied luncheon OF
a ratte-snake; but these were mol my thoughts lust
then.Although beautiful as the snake WAS HIS Skin
gliterng in the soft sun Of fine day in November,
yet Iell no appetite for my dainiy meal Butthings
were becoming desperate so after adjusting my posi-
hon TO command the neck more easily, BIZ seiM rig
or. The thought oil il makes me nearly as sick as the
bite did then, for the fat aud pieces coming in my
mouth, gave 10 Mother Earth The hasiy breakfast
which bad enjoyed buta few hours before. and be-
50 faint with disgust that could scarcely keep
my wo holds the snake Kissed and wrihed, aud that
horrible forked iongus went dancing in aud out: No
devil could have had more fiery eyes. Again wound
myself up 10 the frighlIui task and gnawed and
gnawel I'll The vettebrs In TWO, and The snake
was lleless Theoretically. bu still that horrible tongue
went IN and out; but my danger was over. and with
one effort lore the manged bead and threw II from
me, and quickly disensaged myself from the fenaan-
ing part
MEgpn, which had rolled to the bo;tenl n he "a
vine eli too exhausted 70 go for H. aud liie
ia fear of more raesnakes, so after making uy way
10 the top OF The raync, sieered for the nearest house.
where got vehicle and drove 70 my friends WHERE
was confined 10 my bed for ihree weeks, growing
OIL Of the great state Of excitement which had u1dfT
gone And owe many thanks 10 NY sweet Nary
Tor her Kindness 10 during The period of my con
valescence, which brought two souls TO closer s. npa
thy, The planter sent for my gun, and al the same
time orltFed henegfo bring herallles, wicbbe did
We counted fourteen - PhIla Shirt Of The Times,