Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-08-15

could be had of the sky through the tor
which appeared no wider than one
band
I While contemplating this singular al
rangemeut, the native made his appear
ance, and after attentiyely considerin
the opening, said he could make the as
cent. At this moment, a sudden curren
of air, bursting through the crevice, part
ed the bushes and disclosed to us, iittl
( beyond, spot where the great rocl
seemed no longer entire We had pro
ceeded along this passage, which was near
ly blocked up by the trees and bushes, un
til we reached this point, aud were con
vinced at once the ascent would no
be difficult The creyice widened here
and it struck me in particular, that i
seemed no longer rent. but natura
opening, .=hich grew gradually wider as il
ran farther into the mountain, and the
sides of which were composed of earth
and rock of various Dimensions. some pro
Jecting nearly or quite across the fssure
The side which we proposed To ascend
was not quite perpendicular at this spot
and It's broken appearance, and the shrubs
growing from it, made our success appa
rently feasible. Impelled by curiosity
and desire to know more of this singu-
lar opening, determined to penetrate
farther into it, while my companion tried
the ascent
[ proceeded some distance, and no.
ticed that the passage seemed to grow no
wider; but the vegetation became thin
ner at every step, and at length ceased
almost entirely. Here, on looking up, I
saw that the crevice was closed some fifty
feet above, and before me was darkness
into which l dare not penetrate. While
dark chasm which seemed to lead directly
towards the heart of the mountain, heard
rnstling sound proceeding from its re-
cesses, and started back, appalled, at the
thought of having entered, perhaps, the
very den of the fierce tiger or tue dread
lion. The noise was repeated, and hastily
turning, [ retraced my steps as silently
and rapidly as possible l cast my eyes
up among the rocks to discover my com
panion, but found that had passed the
spot where be commenced elm bing, and
as l turned again to 60 back, saw thro'
the bushes an enormous serpent gliding
slowly towards me, along that part of the
passage [ had just traversed. He did not
seem to be aware of the presence of any
foe or victim, but crept along with his
body half concealed among the bushes,
and his head close to the ground, until ar
irving under the native, and probably
alarmad at some noise the latter made, he
then reared himself several feet from the
ground, and beholding the man above
him, gave loud and terrible hiss, and
quick as lightning coiled himself around
the nearest tree, and ascended to it's first
boughs. The sight paralized every men,
tai aud physical faculty | possessed. |
had no life but in the horror of gazing
upon this frightful monster-a horror
which was greatly increased by the peril
in which it placed my companion. He
meanwhile heard the terrible kissing be-
low him, and became fully aware of the
extent of his danger He had climbed
forty or fifty feet, perhaps, and was very
nearly as high as the top of the tree
which the serpent was ascending in pur-
suit Of him
For ten or fifteen feet above where he
now stood, the rock was perpendicular,
aud afforded no facilities for climbing ex-
cept its crevices and the bushes that grew
from them. Up he went, however, with
incredible agility, until within few feet
of spot where the wall seemed to jut
back, forming sort of shelf; here moth
ing seemed within his reach by which he
might raise himself higher; and for a
moment be paused Above him, and
quite out of bis reach, was decayed root
which did not look strong enough to sus-
tain his weight, and above that was a
strong bush, which if he could but grasp
he felt certain of being able to reach the
shelf where he would have some chance
of defending himself. and be observed the
top of the great opening was not far above
this, although closer examination would
have shown him that it was impossible to
reach it from his present position, for the
wall above the shelf, and on either side,
presented smooth, solid front, without
shrub or crevice He had but an instant
to consider. He heard quick rustling
in the tree below, branch of which ran
very near him, and again that sharp hiss
told him that his frightful enemy was al
most in reach of him. With the energy
that desperation gives in such moments,
ne SPiioS eoS POhoiSuidi
face of the rock. If be missed his aim,
or the root broke, unless he could seize
tee bush above it, he was lost, for be would
inevitably fall, and the serpent would
seize him as soon as within his reach
The root did break almost an instant af
ter his weight was upon it, but the agile
native had managed to lay his hand upon
the bush, and after another powerful eff
fort he was upon the shelf. Seeing that
| it was impossible TO climb further, he
turned, and setting his back firmly against
| the rock. drew his knife and fixed his eye:
upon his enemy.
[ saw the latter wind himself around
one of the strongest of the high limbs
which would bring him very near his vic
tim. and then my self-possession returned
In fact. what l had related had passed s.
rapidly before my eyes that l scarcely
had time for action of any sort. The ser
peut had ascended the tree so swiftly un
til concealed by its branches, that l ha'
no time to fire, but now that he had ex
| nossed himself, [ determined to do 81