New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-08-18
A Rattlesnake Story.

We take the following from the correspond
ence of the Boston Courier, and have no objec-
tions to any body believing it who may choose to
or who can:
/ noticed a sketch in the Courier few dayt
since, entitled ssTaugkannuc Mountains" thas
recalled to my mind an incident that occurred
to me on those mountains, some twenty five or
| thirty years ago. | was at that time a resident
of Sheffield. AT the time to which refer, I
formed one of party Of young men who made
an excursion to the SUBMITS of those mountains,
to hunt partidges, etc, There are, or were, at
that time, places there SO infested with rattle
snakes that it was dangerous to approach them.
To avoid these abedes, we relied on the ac-
quaintance of one Of our party of their locality
after chasing over the hills six or eight hours,
we were tired enough to think of returning to
our homes. We were proceeding along in an
IS Indian fle," through defiie some four rods
wide, one side of which was mountain; the
other some forty feet high, composed of loose
| ledges that were oyergrown with ivies, when
| sharp rattle was heard that sent chill to our
hearts. The foremost of our line saw the reptile
| just ahead of him, and without thought raised
his gun and fired As the report of the gun
echoed along the crags, most hideous rattling
and Kissing arose on all sides
| We were in the midst Of the 81. den." Each
rock and bush seemed populous with rattle
snakes, and we could see them descending from
the higher crags We stood still, not knowing
what to do. To go back would be as dangerous
as to advance and to remain where we were,
as perilous as either, for several were moving in
the bushes near us. The slightest touch of a
| fang was certain death, as we were too far from
any habitation to enable US to reach it before
| the deadly virus would have taken effect. We
feared to stir, lest should attract their atten
tion sooner than if we remained quiet. What
passed in the minds of my companions | know
not, but remember that my own thoughts were
of no very agreeable nature
| At this juneture, one of us perceived q large
fiat rock, some three rods from us, and proposed
in whisper that we should make for that.
Having ascertained that none of our assailants
were between us and it, we made rush for it,
and gained it unscathed. Our last movements
notified our creeping foes Of our whereabouts, as
well as to irritate them more, and they made for
our position
Our weapons of defence were four. guns, two
f pistols, and an axe. We were then so situated
as to be able to defend ourselves, in some meas
ure. We cut couple Of very slender sprouts
that grew close by the rock, stationed ourselves
i in the centre, and as the snakes came on the
edge of our citadel, we killed them. Only five
/ or six made the attempt, and we pitched their
mangled careasses back to their comrades. It
t was evident that SO long as we remained on the
rock we were safe; but how to escape was more
e than we could predict. If We could have killed
e all of the reptiles on one side, with our guns
! and cudgels, we should have encountered more
e in scaling the ledge.
h We remained quietly on the rock, and, in a
short time, the rattlesnakes ceased their attacks
a but, on making any movement, they commenced
d kissing again. These snakes emit q disagreea-
d BILE odor when disturbed, and the air was filled
e with it. We had noticed a tail tree growing
}. close by us, and one of cur party proposed tC
cut it, SO as to cause it to fall against the top
e the ledge, and thereby form, if it did not break
e way by which We might extricate ourselves
i We instantly commenced cutting it, keeping q
: sharp lookout for the spotted rascals, who wer
/ now doubly enraged by the resounding blows
II The tree fell with its top against the SUNNI
e of the LEDGE and we assembled its trunk, AM
!, escaped. Before we left, we just took asGare
Z, well glance at our bafied beligerents, who hac
e then taken possession Of our rock, and were en-
j. gagged in swapping q handkerchief dropped b,
" one of us, We formed line, and shot a
e them, and then left.
o Fatal as is the bite of rattlesnake, yet there
a is weed growing in our meadows, which
II being properly applied, renders it harmless
j. Many persons are not acquainted with it; in
.e deed very few are. have known persons who,
knowing antidotes for this poison, refuse to dis
A. close them.
y QUICK DIGEsr1oN-HE HEALTHY FooD.-Of al
u articles of food, boiled rice is digested in tn,
= shortest time-an hour. As it contains eight
" tenths nutritious matter, it is valuable sub
= = stance for diet Trpe and pigs feet digestet
" almost as rapidly. Apples, if sweet and ripe
! are next in order. Yenison is digested almos
y soon as apples. Roasted potatoes are digestet
. in half the time required by the same vegetables
. boiled, which occupy more than three hours anC
, half-more than beef or mutton. Bread occu
- pies three hours and quarter Stewed oyster
and boiled eggs are digested in three hours ant
1@o1R L. -
~ same articles raw. Turkey and goose are con
II verted in two hours and half-an hour and
. half sooner than chickens. Roasted veal, porl
- and sa1ted beef occupy five hours and half-th
longest of all articles Of food. IScen. American
OF An English jury, in criminal case, brough
s in this verdict: g Guilty. with some little doub
er as to whether he is the man." More like al
:, Irish jury.
IS A sailor once had high dispute with his wifi
o who wished him at the devil, Shiyer my tim
of hers pac, soia he If DON'T think sbauls