Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-08-16

OF rocky caves inaccessible to any thing but tn
beasts to whom they afforded shelter; and th'
country in its vicinity being covered with densC
forests, and dark tangled jungles, into which the
foot of man had never yentured.
AS we approached the mountain, cur progress
indeed became more and more difficult. Thick
bushes and fallen timber frequently obstructed
our way. Now we were stepping from one
slippery rock to another, through a rapid and
roaring stream-now travelling miles to avoid
impenetrable jungles, that stretched like vast
shadows through the dim wood-now turned of
at right angles by high, bold ledge of rock,
through whose solid front, though rugged and
unequal, no opening could be found, and whose
overhanging summit crowned with trees and
shrubs, forbade the thought Of ascent. Nearly
every appearance of game ceased here. The
smallest animals had fled this region, or had tal-
len prey to the more lordly species of the brute
creation.
Occasionally, we heard the crashing of the
bonghs and caught glimpse of some moving
object in the dark racesses of the thickats, or
saw the spotted folds of the corbra capella, and
other fearful snakes glide away and disappear
among the leaves and thick brush, as though
startled at our opproach. But thus far we had
proceeded SO cautiously as not to disturb these
dangerous creatures, or attract their attention
My companion would frequently pause, in a
listening attitude. and cast his piercing glance
into the tree tops which met above us, md
completely shut out the light of day, as though
he expected to see the crouching tiger, or the
frightfu anaconda, ready to dart upon us; and
yet there was no expression of fear upon the
fellows countenance-it was the caution of the
true hunter. We spoke not word, but contin-
ued to wend our way as nolseless as possible
towards the base of the mountain, whose lofty
cliffs and precipices of rock we began to see,
cleaning through the trees and foliage, cluster
ed here and there upon them. The ascent here,
unlike most great elevations, was very steep from
the first, and we were obliged to toll hand and
foot in order to make any progress.
We had ACCOMPLISHED nearly one half of the
ascent, and saw the immense wilderness stretch
ing away on every side below us, when we were
stopped by Il wall of rock, rising perpendicular
ly in many places to the height of several hun
hundred feet, and running across the face of the
mountain to the right and left, until the eye
lost its curve on either side. Seeing no way Of
passing over, under, or though the obstacle, !
directed the native to follow the ledge short
distance towards the left, in order to find an
opening, while took the right. Iproceeded
some distance, and found break in the rock
through which thought we might make our
way to the top. 1t had been formed apparently
by commissions of nature, which had separated
the rock several feet, and detached large frag
ments from the top these had fallen-some 0
them to the bottom, but many had lodged il
various places. Trees had grown up in thi
opening, and bushes had sprung up from ever
crevice along its sides, filling it up so complete
ly that only an occasional glimpse could be ha
of the sky through the top, which appeared n
wider than ones hand.
While contemplating this singular arrange
ment, the native made his appearance, and alte
attentively considering the opening, he said h
could make the ascent At this moment sud
den current of air, bursting through the ere
vice, parted the bushes, and disclosed to us
little beyond, spot where the great rock seem
no longer entire. We had proceeded along thi
passage, which was nearly blocked up by tn
trees and bushes, until we reached this poir
and were convinced at once the ascent woul
not be difficult. The creyice widened here, an
it struck me in particular, that it seemed n
longer rent, but natural opening, whic
grew gradually wider as it ran farther into tn
mountain, and the sides of which were compo
ed of earth and 70 of various dimensions son
projecting nearly or quite across the fssur
The side which we proposed to ascend was ne
quite perpendicular at this spot and its broke
appearance, and the shrubs growing from
made our succers apparently feasible. Impellt
by curiosity and desire to know more Of til
singular opening, determined to penetrate ia
ther into it, while my companion tried the II
cent. proceeded some distance, and notice
that the passage seemed to grow no wider b
the vegetation grew thinner at every step, ar
ut length ceased almost entirely. Here,
locking up, saw that the crevice was clos
some fifty feet above, and before me was dar
ness into which dared not penetrate. VIII
looking with sort of horror into this da
chasm which seemed to lead directly towar
. the heart of the mountain, heard a rustl
| sound proceeding from its recesses, and start
} back, appalled, at the thought of having entere
= perhaps, the very den of the fierce tiger or
dread lion The noise was repeated, and has
' ly turning, retraced my steps as silently q
. rapidly as possible. I cast my eyes up amo
the rocks to discover my companion, but fou
that had passed the spot where he had co
4 menced climbing and as turned to go ba
p again, saw through the bushes an enormc
+ serpent gliding slowly towards me, along I'll
). part of the passage I had just traversed.
= did not seem to he aware of the presence of a
Y foe or victim, but crept along with his body h
J. concealed among the bushes, and his head cl
: to the ground, until arriving under the matt
o and probably alarmed at some noise tho
n ter made, he then reared himself several
d from the ground, and beholding the man alb
d him, gave a loud hiss, and quick as lightn
o coilcd himself around the nearest tree, and
.s cended to its first boughs Tho sight paraly
ID every mental and physical faculty possess
10 had no life but in the horror of gazing u
ID this frightlul monster--a horror which