Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-06-06
For the Burlington Hawk. Ere.
A NIGHT NEAR THE ElUATDR

uxA.a A..a sA,inr .l.rins de H.. ....s g...ti
icsl sun, whose rays reached us at very small
gle, in small canoe, on a small stream, the banks
Of which were generally high and covered with
dense and magnificent vegetation, only TO be found
in such climes. Three naked natives navigated our
little craft, and had adopted their costume far
as our sense of propriety would admit. Notwith-
standing our scanty raiment, the heat was oppres-
sive and we occasionally felt as though Old Sol was
trying TO roast aive the dense foliage and high
banks keeping every breath of air from reaching u.s.
My four companions had amused themselves DUR
ing the day, by telling tales of chair breadth apes
by sea and land also from various beasts and rep
tiles, found in this climate As various large snake
stories were related the Captsin as we called him,
became very nervous, ana demonstrated against
having even the of snake repeated, as he said
ne mad Kind OF presentiment that he should at
some time fall victim to one Of these huge reptiles
Just as the sun had disappeared, much to our sat
isaction, behind the ragged form OF distant noun
tain, we reached small rancheria where we got
entertainment for the night, such this region az
fords The hut, like all built By the natives in this
clin:te, was of cane set and waited togeth-
er with light ard flexible vine species OF rattan
the roof covered with variety of palm. The pro-
prietor, our host was dark snd swarthy, of Indian
and Spanish blood, and the Sonora ef the same ex-
traction. They showed perfect willingness to
supply US with the best their domicil afforded,
which was coffee and rice-this with the eatables
we furnished from our stores, made us repast
that answered our most sansuine anticipaiions.
Our sleeping arrangements were soon made the |
Captain and myself made our bed on the earth floor
OF the hut opposite the door, OF dry hide furnish
ed by our host, and our blankets. Our companions I
were disposed Of on the frail floor above.
had been sleeping soundly for some time when |
was aroused by slight rusting kissing sound |
which Immediately brought me to my feet; the door
Of the hut was open, and the moon shining bright |
as day. Directly in the door stood the Captain and
between him and myself was huge serpent some |
fifteen or eighteen feet in length, with his head |
bending gracefully but rather threaening,y towards
and very near the Captain; the tail of the monster /
the Captain appeared transixed and deprived Of all
power of motion. Bearing in mind the old saying |
that s:a tail Aod' was ssa good one' seized with
firm grip with both hands the serpents tail, which
being to his snakeship rather novel proceeding,
induced him to turn his head in my direction This
diversion enabled the Captain to collect his IDEAS
could carry him, and away went his snakeship in
full pursuit; the more tried to hold on to INV tail
hold the more couldn't; all the impeachment my
resistance offered was not rush in his way.
followed after at rather fast walk, but had only
fairly got under way, when both snake and Captain
disappeared from sight. 1 gazed in wonder at the
sudden disappearance, but only for moments for
his snakeship now appeared vending his way in
my direction. was not long in thinking the back
track the safest, and barely reached the hut and
closed the entrance when his snakes ship was at
hand. large opening at the bottom of the door
was where he endeavored to force my fortress, but
oy the aid of club which fortunately had at hand,
soon made him beat retreat. As soon as thought
the coast clear opened the door and endeavored
oy haooing at the top Of my voice to determine the
ia'e or whereabouts of the Captain. probably had
not exerted myself long in this manner, when vi
client punch in my ribs made me start and rub nv
eyes. At my side laid the Captain as when we re-
tifeo. "What are you making all this noise about,
you have roared my name louder than bun. can
hear without half that noise,, said the Captain.-
began to explain that saw large snake giving
him chase-but no sooner was snake mentioned.
han up went the Captain with the agility Of SOUR
'el to the LON, whore our companions, had been