Washington sentinel., 1854-01-06
LIFE AT THE DIGGINGs--A SNAKE
STORY.

LIFE AT THE DIGGINGs--A SNAKE
STORY.
The London S,in contains the following
snake story, communicated in letter from a
gold digger, at Eagle Hawk Gully, to his friend
and former companion:
"1imes have improved very much since you
left us in one way, but they have fallen of
very much in another. Food is cheaper, and,
true to the old rule, when food is plentiful la
Dor is cheap. Gold is more scarce think
eiR~&GrA~SeN~aoSe Seaer4rAAsswetnrTNfy
stick to one spot, and explore it thoroughly be-
fore giving it up, instead of as many do, sink
two or three holes in a gully, getting only mod
crate finds, then give it up in place of explor-
ing further, and try elsewhere running up ex-
pense on expense, losing their time, and doing
no good; and why?-because it takes long
time to get into the run of gold, and every time
they shift they have, as it were, to 60 through
a fresh apprenticeship to fresh gully.
You remember Dead Horse Gully the
scene of our sporting adventures. Well, ] late
ly sank a hole there in the deep sinking. Mine
ran about seventeen feet and as it turned out
pretty good drove in about forty feet towards
the side of the hill. One day had been more
than usually lucky, so next morning betimes ]
was stirring, made fast my rope to a tree, and
down went by it hand under hand lit my
slush lamp, and proceeded along the drive on
my hands and knees, eager to begin work, and
thinking of the big nuggets. You remember
was always celebrated for making small drives.
Shading the light with my hand, | erawled in.
Near the far end | stopped to avoid crawling
through small pool of water. Casting the
light before me to see how the land lay--horror
of horrors lon the other side of the pool per-
ceived pair of small glittering grey eyes in
tently fixed on me, the cold, malignant expires
sion of which forced the warm blood back to
my heart with bound which nearly suffocated
me. / knew at once that it was a snake, and
deadly one, too. Arching its neck with
Kissing noise it collected itself for the fatal
spring starting back, my head came in con-
tact with the roof of the tunnel, and fell back
stunned and senseless. How long lay in this
state | know not, but when | came to con-
sciousness | at first thought that was at home
in the big smoke; but gradually the truth
forced itself upon me. Where was the snake?
Was | bitten? To the last mental query /
cheerfuly answered, Nor for the most Of these
snakes are very deadly, and the bitten part
swells up Immediately. On consideration,
remembered that the snake had reared for the
spring, so it was clear had fallen in the nick Of
where was it now? A cold shudder passed over
me, when considered that the snake must still
be in the hole, perhaps even within few feet,
watching me with its CLASSY eyes, or preparing
for another spring
:" am not easily frightened, as you well know,
but for all the gold in Bendigo l would not be
in that situation again. How was ] to pro-
coed? My only weapon was driving pick;
grasping it, and creeping cautiously along,
heard a noise in front. Was it the snake? /
held my breath in fearful suspense, with the
sweat of agony moistening my brow. No, it
was only some loose stones falling from the
roof l breathed again, and with forced
courage crept stealthily along. Arrived near
the mouth Of the tunnel, was again startled at
seeing large carpet snake Tiny late tormenter)
circling round the bottom of the hole, and
gliding half his length on its slippery sides,
darting in and out his forked tongue, and slow
ly moving his head as if searching for an open
ing to hide itself Being concealed in the
dark tunnel, had ample time for deliberation.
Evidently, should be able to strike the first
blow if | could succeed in reaching the mouth
without making noise. | made up my mind
at once, perhaps rashly; | might have done
better if | had waited until it was asleep.
Muttering prayer, / crept cautiously forward,
uul lic Hcdu VI my piCh SuuSbt against a iooSc
projecting stone, and down came lot of earth,
Cursing my bad luck, looked to see what ef.
feet it would have on the snake. 1t was evi-
dently aroused, twisting and comforting its
body into all sorts of knots and circles, at the
same time keeping its piercing glance fixed on
the mouth Of the tunnel. Darting quickly
from my concealment, nailed the snake to
the ground through the neck with my pick.
With hiss Of pain, it suddenly threw its folds
round my leg, and partly drew it towards its
head recovering, ] planted my leg firmly,
pulled out my bowie knife with my left hand,
and cut the snake in too about foot from his
head still the Shiny body was contracted round
my leg, and still the forked tongue was playing
in and out, Notwithstanding the body was sew
cred in two. ! clambered up the side of the
hole with the snakes body still clinging to my
leg; when got to the grass again cut the
snake in two, and unwound it. thanking God
for my marrow escape. The snake measured
feet inches. / went home to my tent, and
made out the day fossicking Bill and Tom
send their remembrances and, wishing you
luck, remain yours, &c.'