Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-06-23

down lIie ldSt IdlHCu iiNCT uHul we struck
the Mississippi, some few miles below
Prairie du Chen. | should, perhaps,
have stated, ere this, that it was our IN
variable custom 10 sleep beneath our tents
or shore every night.
Soon after striking the Mississippi, our
tents were pitched one night as usual. In
due time the guards were set-silence
reigned in the little army-and naught was
TO be heard save the regular Tread of the
night watch, as he paced his silent round.
| had no idea when turned IN that night
hat was to be unccremonioLslv turned
'm before morning. But was mista-
zen. During the night, our camp was
listed by a most furious rain storm. The
water decenGed in torrents, and disturbed
ais lurking place an enormous rattle
make, who. it would seem, took up his
ne of march with, presume, no very
orreCt idea of his destination, but with a
ommenda5Ie desire, | doubt not, 10 pro-
de himself with shelter from the pitIess
,orm that was raging about, and invading
is Gominions, the broad forest, of which
had probably been an undisturbed occu.
ant for many years.
| cannot ior one moment imagine that
is snakeship had any particular penchant
r my quarters, but it SO happened that
)out one o'clock at night,or rather morn
g he brought up at my tent, and, acting
pom the Cid proVerb-perhaps il is not a
rOverb, only a saying--of "any port in
Storm" he pitched in, without as much
ssaying, "By your leave, sir, and the
rstintimation afforded me that was to
honored with his distinguished presence
,as the fact that he was insinuating his
old, wet and horrid carcase directly a
ross my legs, Just above the knee joints.
aving obtruded himself thus far into
good society, he seemed TO be entirely
satisfied with himself, with me, anG for
aught knew, with the rest of mankind,
and the comfortable quarters into which
he had thus thrust himself unbldden; Tor
| am very certain, had been permitted 10
make choice of companion for the night,
my tendencies would not have been in that
direction. But here he was, warm quiet
and free from the storm, ,and seemed might
lily inclined, so far as | could discover, to
tarry Tor a while. But by this time be-
gan fully 10 realise my own position.
had assumed, in the first place, as all the
indications were that way, II was a snake,
and my Imagination, i'll the second place,
led me to suppose it was rattlesnake.
Of course had no positive knowledge on
the subject, for his entrance had been un-
announced, but | thought | had right toI
make tha, assumption, and TO govern my
self accordingly,
But !he lhought OF such companion
was horrible. A sleeping partner too-a
snake, so iorbidding in every possible as
poet, that even at this time, although about
nineteen years have rolled over the Incl
dent, il makes me shudder through every
limb TO think Of! But that was not the
question uppermost in my mind at that
time. The question was Chow am
to get rid of him p And it was a nice
question too--one more easily conceived
than executed. knew the fix that was
in--l was fully aware Of my position for
my presence OF mind had not for one mo-
menl deserted me.
AlNMJugh an intruder--although he had
presumed 10 poach upon my manor with
out license--slill | was aware that this
king Of his species was to be treated with
great respect and consideration, until
had got, at least, beyond the reach OF his
mutderOuS langS.. | commenced, there
fore, the process of sliding my legs out
from under him--not, 10 be sure, at a
pace of Notwithstanding more the
speed of the snail, and almost holding my
breath during the operation. | was fully
aware that my only safety lay in this.
Perhaps | might have got rid of him in a
more summary way, but in doing 1t per-
haps | might have placed him in posi-
ton unsuiIed 10 his ideas of proprIety, and
most probably retaliation on his part would
have followed, and l should have come
out of the contest second best. But
found my plan working well. and pelsever-
ed in It's execution. BY dinI of great pa
lence, | finally, after labor of ten mnu'
les or more, succeeded in finding myself
free from my disgusting companion. | at
once threw off the musquito bar that sur
rounded my ground bed, stepped over my
blankets, drew on my boots, as matter \
Of Precaulion, not knowing the precise To-
caiity OF my pleasing an amiabe com
panion at this time. | now seized Shil-
Ialah that knew was standing in corner
Of my tent, for il was as dark as Egyptian
darkness itself, and commenced failing
my scanty bed with an earnestnesS that
woGId have been highly amusing to dis
interested looker-on continued this