Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-04-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
AZ AsroNIsHING sNAKE sroRf.

4
The following horrible adventure occur.
red to me some time ago, when travelling
in the Valley Of the Mississippi those
who have been there will recollect the IA,
vines which are often met with back q
mong the bluffs, caused blythe washingl
in the alluyial by the frequent and ire.
mendous rains; these ravipes are over one
hundred feet deep, and extend for . mile
or more
One morning ! took my gun and ram
bled out for game,
Whistling as went for want d
thought.
I had strolled 1 don't know how far,
with but Indifferent success, thinking more
of Mary, the blue-eyed daughter Of my
host, and how to catch her, rather than
bag cartridges, when came to one Of
those large deep rayines which nature has
plowed in the soil Being tired, I CON
Guided I could venture to descend and
climb up again, rather than 60 around, for
the distance seemed near quarter Of a
mile, and the rayinewas not over one hun
dred feet deep. While scrambling up the
opposite side, at mid way, to my horror,
saw eoiled at the foot Of clump Of bushes,
huge rattle-snake. ] had almost put my
foot upon him, when the snake, reused at
the intrusion upon his solitude, rose and
rapidly coiled himself around me. Had
had time for thought I should not have
acted better than I did, which was impul-
siyely to throw my gun away, and seize
the snake near the head. A moments
hesitation would have. been fatal to me-
Here was, forty or Fifty feet above the
bottom Of the ravine, holding with one
hand to the bushes e prszant my falling
down the almost perpendicular height, and
with the other having hold of the snakes
head. TO fling the snake away was my
first idea, but that was too dangerous, be
sides, being nearly eight feet long, he wa.
too tightly cooled around me- I knew M
house was near, and the cotton fields
which I had been through were not likely
to be trayersed by any one therefore al
succor from others was thing neither t,
be hoped, ,or expected.
Minutes passed like hours, the serpen
was kissing, darling ont his horrible fork
ed tongue his tail was Wriggling and hi
rattlss going, and every now and then
fancied ] heard his call answered by others
much too near for my pleasure. As lone
as held my present advantage there wa
no danger from my bosom companion, bul
unless something turned up to relieve me
| I could not hold on till the snake died d
old age or want Of food But when oul
/ fortunes are at the lowest, there is turn
ling point; q bright idea rushed into my
4 head. 80 bite his head off, Having
hold 81 the snakes head with my righl
hand. / could not, even if I would, hav,
| let % tie bush!wilh myleft, and used my
knife, which wss in the right pocket Of m.
trowsers
There is an old nursery rhyme which
speaks about
| aFour and twenty black birds baked in pie,
was not this dainty dish % set before the Kingl
4 However, the King might have relishe,
| i've black birds, doubt If he would hay,
fancied 4 luncheon of rattle-snake; bu
these were not my thoughts just then
Although beautiful as the snake was, hi
.l;r ,i;stsr;no s tbe soft sun Of : fine IA,
!. Nevsmb sr vat + felt M annetite for n,
dainty meal. But things were becominl
desperate; 80 after adjusting my position
| to command the neck more easily, b
aCith vigor The thought Of it makes m
nearly Is sick Is the bite did then, for o.
the fat and niecas comin0 in NV month
/ ave - Mother Earth ne basty breslfa,
Which I had enioved but i few hour "
fore. and became . faint With d;sgust III,
! I could scarcely keep nv two hold. n
snale h;ssed and IWrithed. and that horr
BE forEsd tongue went dancing IN an