Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-12-13

within reacn OF MIN. W itii inc cneTSy that
desperation gives in such moments. he made
spring up the perpendicular face of the rock
If he missed his aim, or the root broke, unless
he could seize the bush above it, he was lost,
for he would inevitably fall and the serpent
would seize him as soon as within reach
The root did break almost an instant after his
weight was upon it, but the agile native had
managed to lay his hand upon the bush, and
after another effort, he was upon the SHELF
Seeing shat it was impossible TO climb fur
ther, he turned, and setting his back firmly
against the rock, drew his knife and fixed his
eyes upon his enemy.
/ saw the latter wind himself around one of
the strongest of the higher limbs, which would
bring him very near his victim, and then my
self possession returned. In fact, what have
related, had passed so rapidly before my eyes
that | scarcely had time for action of any sort.
The serpent had ascended the tree so swiftly,
concealed by its branches, that | had no time
TO fire, but now that he exposed himself, de-
termined to do so, although the shot might en-
danger the native. The frightful monster,
in his revolutions round the limb, paused
whenever his head come above it, and
fixing his burning eyes upon his expected
prey, made another turn around the limb, and
each time came nearer TO its extremity. As
his head came fairly in view, fired, aiming
at his neck. The report of the rife in this
pent up place was tremendous, and instantly
turning his head toward the tree, the serpent
twisted himself into large knot upon the
limb, and distinctly heard his blood drop
upoH the leaves near my feet. thought had
done the business for him, but was mistaken,
for in moment, kissing in anger, he uncoied
himself and again advanced along the branch.
My companion had left his fowling piece
near where | stood, and seized it and fired
second time without effect. He reached the
end of the limb, which, although running hor-
izontally, was a continuance of the tree, and
having been broken near the Shelf was strong
enough 10 bear his weight and bend very lit
tie. Here, with his head fattened, and his
arched and swollen crest glowing like fire, he
prepared to spring upon his prize. The
blood streamed from the wound in his neck,
and flowing down, crimsoned the bright scales,
and he seemed 10 be but little injured. His
burning and dilating eyes were intenily fixed
upon'th native, and his red forked tongue
darted like an incessant flame from his mouth.
The man was prepared for him-the keen
knife glittered in his hand-but his situation
was terrible one.
At this moment dark shadow fell upon
him. He 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
determined to cross. A hiss from below
caught his ear, and dropping his head quickly
between his legs, he lifted his name, and with
loud roar, sprang fiercely at the native, who
avoided him by shrinking closely to the rock,
and as he came within reach on the shelf, he
plunged his knife into his side. As the lion
recovered from his leap and turned upon his
foe, | saw three cords fly from the limb like
rings of fire, and in an instant one of them
was around the shaggy neck of the lordly
beast, and the fangs of the serpent were fas-
tened just above his eyes. He was dragged
struggling from the shelf, and the serpent re-
taining his hold upon the limb, they swung
heavily against the body of the tree. The
joints of the serpent stretched TO lis utmost
tension, and the limb bent and cracked with
the weight it sustained. but he firmly kept
hold and drew the cord about the neck Of the
struggling lion, as light as hangman's knot.
But the mighty beast was not thus to be over
come With one of his strong paws he
grasped the snake above his head, and turning
seized that part in his capacous mouth,
crushed bone and flesh, and grinding his teeth
in fury when they met. The cords upon the
limbs relaxed, and they fell heavily TO the
ground, fighting in heap, and whirling the
dry leaves in cloud with their fierce energy
ran up the path which the native had Sc
lected before, and was soon joined by him.
With little difficulty we reached the top of the
opening, and turned TO look at the strange bat
tie below. The huge serpent lay bloody and
motionless at the foot of the tree, and the vic
torious lion disappeared among the bushes, in
the direction Of the mouth of the fssure. He
had received some severe wounds, and doubt
not his bones ached from the great stress of
the serpents folds.
This extraordinary occurrence did not pre-
vent US reaching the summit of the mountain,
ard gazing in wonder and delight over the vast
and beautiful country. 1t was the most excit-
ing scene | ever witnessed, and | then believed
that all Hindostan could not produce another
escape from fearful death SO marvellous as
that of my companion.
Kidd, the Pirate.
In old times, jns, after the territory Of the
New Netherlands had been wrested from their
High Mightlness the Lords States General OF
Holland, by King Charles the Second, and
while yet il was in an unquiet state, The prov.