The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-29
W00DSFIELD, MONROE COUNTY, OHIO, MARCH 49, 1854
Adventure with a Snake. /.

Adventure with Snake.
In the following extract from the letter
of gold digger in Australia to an old as
sociate, which we find in our late English
papers, is detailed the very lates. snake
story we have seen. The writer, whose
epistle is dated on the Sd of September
last, says:
You remember Dead Horse Gully the
scene Of our sporting adventures. Well
| lately sunk hole there in the deep sink
ing. One day had been more than usu-
ally lucky, so next morning betimes | was
stirring, made fast my rope TO tree, down
I went by it hand under hand, lit my slush
lamp, and proceeded on the drive on my
hands and knees, eager to begin work and
thinking Of the big nuggets. You remem-
small drives. Shading the light with my
hand crawled in. Near the far end |
stopped to avoid crawling through small
pool of water. Casting my light before
me to see how the land lay-horror of hor.
rors!-on the other side of the pool | per-
ceived small pair OF glittering grey eyes
intently fixed on me, the cold. malignant
expression Of which forced the warm blood
back to my heart with bound that nearly
suffocateG me. | knew at once it was a
sn AXE. and deadly one, too. Arching
its neck with Kissing noise it collected
itself for the fatal spring. Starting back.
my head came in contact with the roof Of
the tunnel, and | fell back stunned and
senseless. How long lay in this state
know not; but when came to conscious
ness, at first thought was at home in the
/ big smoke;' but gradually the truth forced
itself upon me. Where was the snake!
Was bilten2 To the last mental query
answered sNo!' for the most of these
snakes are very deadly. and the bitten
part swells up Immediately. On consid-
Grafton, remembered that the snake had
reared for the spring so it was clear had
fallen in the nick of time. and the reptile
had passed over; but where was it now?
A cold shudder came over me when con-
sidered that the snake must still be in the
hole perhaps even within few feet watch
ing me with his CLASSY eyes. preparing for
another spring.. | am not easily trighten-
ed as you well know; but for all the gold
in Bendigo, | would not be in that situa.
ton egain. How was to proceedl My
only weapon was driving pick; grasping
it and creeping cautiously along, heard
held my breath in fearful suspense, with
the sweat Of agony moistening my brow.
No, it was only some loose stones falling
from the root. breathed again, and with
a forced courage crept stealthily along.
Arrived near. the mouth Of the tunnel,
was again startled by seeing large car
pet snake (my late tormentor) circling
round the bottom of the hole, and gliding
half his length up its slippery, sides, dart
ing in and out lis forked tongue. and slow
ly moving his head as If searching for an
opening to hide itself. Being concealed
in the dark tunnel l had ample time for
deliberation. Evidently I should be able
to strike the first blow if ! could succeed
in reaching the mouth without making a
noise. made up my mind at once per-
haps rashly; as | might have done better
if had waited until it was asleep. Nut
tering prayer, | crept cautiously forward;
but the head Of my pick caugh; against a
loose projecting stone, and down came q
lot Of earth. Cursing my bad luck look.
ed to see what effect it would have on the
snake. Il was evidently aroused twisting
and comforting its body into all sorts Of
knots and circles at the same time keep
ing its piercing glance fixed on the mouth
of the tunnel. Darling quickly from my
concealment, / nailed the snake to the
ground through the neck with my pick.
With a hiss Of pain it suddenly threw
its folds around my leg, and partly drew
ittowards its head. Recovering, | planted
; my leg firmly, pulled out my Bowie-knife
with my left hand and cut the snake in two
about a foot from his head; but still the sli.
my body was contracted round my leg,
and still the forked tongue was playing in
and out, Notwithstanding the body was
severed in two. | clambered up the side
Of the hole with the snakes body clingine
TO my leg. When | got to the grass
again cut the snake in two and unwound
it. thanking God for my narrow escape.
The snake measured eight feet six inches
eT One DR.. Sewal. of England. has
published book to prove that tobacco was
the forbidden fruit Now this is some.
thing new under the sun, and the wise
man was out Of il at once. We question
if Solomon himself ever thought Of tobacco
being the forbidden fruit
Indeed, come to think of it, we cans
accept this new idea. much as we are dis.
POSED to patronize new things. Only think
of Mother Eve tempted by plug Of tobac-
| CO! If she had been presented with one
Of Bast's bran-new pipes, or fancy box
filed with royal scented snuff, she nigh,
have transgressed; bit as We are informed
and believe, no such destinations accom-.
panied the weed six thousands years ago
!. Besides. it is said that Mother Eve was
, beautiful; at least we know that MIR. Adam
: was much taken with her, and he was the
} best judge about those times; and Milton
} an excellent witness, says Eve was The
iairest of her daughters'-an expression
as true as it tisgrammatical at least. Nov
only think Of the .fairest' promenading The
Garden of Paradise, chewing tobacco!
Pass that man Sewal and his tobacco
; round. He'll not do.-Louisville Demo
Graf.