The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-09-01

but found that had passed the spot where lie
commenced climbing, and as turned ac.in
to 60 back, saw through the bushes an cnor
nous serpent glide slowly toward INC. along
that part Of the passage had travelled. lie
did not seem to be aware of the presence of
any foe or victim, hut crcpt along with his
body halt concealed among the bushes. and
h's head close to the ground, until arriyinc
under the native, and probably alarmed at
some noise the latter made, he then reared
himself several feet from the ground, and be-
holding the man above him. gave a lond and
terrible hiss, and quick as lightning coiled
himself around the nearest free. and .sc.rJ.
Ell to ITS first bonghs. The sight paralvzcd
every mental and physical faculty | poSscSs-
"a had II" iis'. h"t in ,l.u horror of .,.-
ih@ upon fhis frlghiiIl n'on>'cr-h horror wiicl,
was greatly increased by the peril in which
1T placed my companion lie meanwhile
heard the terrible kissing below him. aid be-
came fully aware of the extent of his dan ,cr
lie had cIim'e4 forty or fifty feet. and was
very nearly as high as the top of the tree
which the serpent was ascending in pursuit
Of him.
For ten or fifteen feet above where he now
stood. the rock was perpendicular. and a.Inr-
ded no fNilifics for climbing. rxropt its crew
bO IL,
I p he went. however. with incredible agility,
until within few feet of the spot where the
wall seemed to ut back, sorminc sor, of
shelf: here nothing seemed within his reach
hy which he might raise himself higher. and
for a moment he paused. Above him. and
quite out Of his reach. was a decaved root.
which did not look strong enough to sustain
his weight and above that was strono bush
which, if he could but grasp. he felt certain
OF being able to reach the shelf, where he
wonld have some chance of defending him
s"lf and he observed The top of great open
INC was not tar above this. although, closer
examination would have shown hin, FIAT !;
was impossible TO reach it from his prcScn,
position. for the wall above the shelf. and on
either side. presented solid. smooth front
without shrub or crcvi,e. lie had hut IN
instant to consider. lie hcarl Gni K rus.
ling in the tree felow. branch of whi.h ran
very near him. and again that sharp hiss told
him that his trlc!tful enemy was ALMOST in
reach of him. With the energy that tlcsre-
ration gives in such moments hr mad. a
spring up the perpendicular face Of the rock.
1t he missed his aim. or tie roo. broke. m.
less he could seize the bush above If he was
lost, for he would inevitably fall. and the ser.
rent would seize him as soon As within his
reach. The root did break almost an instant
after his weight was upon it, bn, the agile
native had managed TO Law his hand on the
bush. and after another powerful effort he was
upon the shelf Seeing i, was im,oSsi,Ie 10
cliInb iarther,h he turned. and setting his back
firmly against Tie rock. drew his knit;, ana
fixed hi> ewes upon his ercinv.
saw the latter wind himself around one
oi the strongest of the high Limits, which
woui! bring him very near his victim. and
then ny >cli-Po>>e sion returned. In fac.
wha; havc related had passed 50 RAPIDLY
before ~ eyes that scarcely had time for
action OF any sort. The serpent had aSccni-
ed the tree 50 swiftly until concealed bv its
branches that had no time to fire. but now
that hc had exposed himself determined 10
do so, although the shot might cnd.nccr the
native. The fri"h,tul monster. in his rcyo-
ln'lonS round the limb. paused whenever his
head came above it, and fixed his burninc
c:cs upon his expected prev. made another
turn around the limb. and each time came
nearer to ITS extremity As his head cane
fairly in view fired. aiming at his neck
The report of the rifle in ,his pcntup place
was tremendous. and instantly turning his
head toward the tree, the serpent twisted
himself III hard knot upon the limb. dis
''nctly heard his blood dropping on the
leaves near my feet. thought | had done
the business for him, but was mistaken. for
in moment, kissing with anger, he uncoil.d
himself and again advanced along the branch. !
My companion had left his fowlnc piece
near where stood. and / seized it and fired
second time. but without effect. lie reach I
ed the end of the limb which, though run
nlnG horizontally. was continuance oftbc
nam body OF the tree, and having been bro !
ken near the shelf, was strong enough to bear
his weight and bend very little Here will,
his head flatttncd and his archcd and swollen
crest glowing like fire, he prepared to sprin.
upon his prize The blood streamcd from
the wound in the neck, and flowing down
crlmsoncd the bright scales. tut he seemed
to be but little injured. His burning and
dila'ing eyes were fixed upon the native,
and his red forked tongue dar,ed like an in
ccs>ant flame from his mouth. The man was
prepared for him-the keen knife n!it,crcd
in his hand-but his situation was a terrible.
one.
At this moment dark shallow fell upon
him. lie looked up and in amazement be-
held lion Of great size standing upon the .
brink of the opening, some ten feet above
him, with his eyes fixed on the other side and
evidently intending to cross. a hiss from,
below caught his Tar, and dropping his head
quickly between his leOs he lifted his mane