American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-08-04
ASLEEP ON A RATTLESNAKE DEN,
fearful Position.

DeWocfdt writing from Paoll, Kansas
Territory, on the 17th of June, relates
the following incident of his own per-
sonal experience ~
On last Sunday evening the air was
SO bewitchingly balmy, and the sky so
softly yelled by shadowy clouds, that L
was seduccd into lcngthcncd stroll a.
long the bluffs, Which proudly aspire
to overlook the outrageous woodlands
on the ono side, and the sunlit plains
upon the other, until l reached an ele-
waited pinnacle so tall as to command d
panoramic view, whose picturesque and
varied beauties ravished all my senses;
and lost me in most dreamy rcvcrics.
| rcclined upon the summit of the
rock with my hood upon my hand until
presently it rolled away upon the cush-
ion of q springy moss, which grew
there like an emerald diadem, and [
was locked in that strange slumber
which leaves you semi-conscious, and
yet restrains volition. l had lain there
several minutes, with my left arm
stretched to its extent, when at the ex-
tremities of the fingers of that hand
there was sensation, new and peculiar,
that sent thrill of pleasure to the
mind and heart it was soothing, draw
ing, and agrceably titilating, as if the
fingers were dissolving away in de-
hghtful self-absorption. Just then,
from this sort of blissful abandon. [
was startled by the report of gunshot
within few PAGES of me. l sprang to
my feet, and with astonishmcnt, saw
my friend Mitchell standing near and
gazing at me with q fixed look of ghost
ly horror. Before could enquire what
he meant my attention was caught by
the sound OF tho most shrill, keen, ring
ing rattle that ever penetrated human
carj and, on looking down, I discover
cd huge rattlcsnake with bloody head,
quivering and writhing in the agonies
of death, and sending forth from his
erect tail the terrible tocsin that [ now
heard
From his fearful proximity and not
less fearful rattles, l began to realize
my position, but could not until heard
an explanation from NJ, fully under
stand and appreciate its horrors.
lie told me that my resting placS
was tho top Of rattlesnake den, and
pointed out the orilice through which
they passed; that he was in tho habit
of coming there on Sunday evenings to
shoot rattlcsnakes that when he APP
preached that evening, and saw me ly-
ing upon the den, he supposed l had
been bitten and was dead; that lie
crcpt nearer and saw my respiration,
and kncwI was alive, but discovered q
monstrous snake licking my hand, and
covering it with q Shiny coating, pre-
paratory to dcglutitior that he made
u slight, Involuntary shuddcring cxcla-
nation of "my God!' which drew the
snakes attention, end caused him to-
turn his head, when he discharged u
load Of bucksht into his face and neck,
mangling and tearing them to pieces,
and thus saved my life. -
lie had scarcely told me this, which
took but moment, when rattles all a.
round us brought us to recollection,
or an exciting realization, rather, that
VIC were not yet free from danger.
We saw ten or fifteen large rattlcsnakes
approaching from every quarter, with
eyes glaring at us rcvcngGfully, barbcd
tongues thrusting throatoningly, and
rattles sounding menacingly and alarm
ingly. They arc brave, and cannot be
intimidatcd, and will die over the dead
body Of their companion sooner than
desert it. We knew the indomitablo
character of our enemy, and Mitchell
and /, with his double -barrcllcd gun,
and my sticks and stones, fought our
way out as best we could. You may
Imagine that my nerves were slightly
agitatcd that evening, and that | droam-
cd of srakcs that night.
Mitchell has killed ono hundred and
seven Of thcm---thc largest of which
had twenty-six rattles. IIc says the
Indians, who have been in the habit of
hunting them for many years, have
killed much older ones, and have slain
thousands.
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