The Empire County argus., 1855-02-17
NUMBER IA.
Written for the Empire County Argus.


strongly built, we'll formed, and of handsome coun-
tenauce, was travelling through one of the widest
and most unfrequented parts Of the Dcccan, with
dispatches from the commandant of the fortress of
Assenghen, to the city of Arcot He left Assem-
CHEN with two attendants; but one had fallen q
victim to jungle fever and the other had deserted
his master, on the morning Of the day ON which
he was placed in the horrible situation related in
the following narrative:
He was vending his way, along q road shaded
on either side by enormous trees, to the nearest
English station-where he knew he would be able
to obtain two other attendants, to protect him ON
his journey, through district swarming with wild
and savage animals, and by no means secure from
the depredations and crueties of the Thugs or
stragglers He was about fourteen miles from the
station, and having a fine, open road before him,
and good horse to second his own impatience, he
galoped along with light heart. From time to
time he chaunted some song or hymn, peculiar to
his country and when at intervals he refined in his
stced, to allow few moments breathing space, he
pondered upon his well-beloved wife and children,
whom he had left behind him. at Assenghen.
The morning was lovely; the fragrance of the
blossoms that covered the trees, foated around
him; the mir was laden with the perfume, and tho
notes of hundred birds discoursed sweet music to
his ears. Every thing was still; nothing stirred.
He passed round the edge Of hill, on the elevation
of which, and on his right hand, stood a few de-
serted cottages, seen through an opening in the
great hedge of trees On the other side OF the hill
was rude burying ground-for populous village
had once stood in that neighborhood- it had
been swept away in one hour, by conhagraton,
and the grass was green, on the spot which human
habitatons had once occupied. The entrance to
that place of tombs was rude arch--a rough
hewn piece Of architecture, that had no doubt
stood for many, many years And now, the hill
was passed-the cemetery was no longer visible
and the road of the courier lay through beauti-
full valley. AS he advanced the trees on each side
of the road formed complete wall, and joined in
luxuriant arch over his head; nothing could be
more delightfully."- COOL than that path, at the mo-
mont when Siendia was threading it-as we now
find him--and when the refulgence of the burning
OF India would have been insupportable, in the
open country. Pleased that his road lay beneath
so outrageous covering, Siendiah put spurs to
his gallant steed, and dashed rapidly along. a.-
Suddenly his horse, usually so tractable and obe-
jicnt gave terrific neigh, started stopped short,
and raised in alright, his hind legs. Siendiah
Immediately fancied that some wild animal was
near and yet hO knew full we'll that the savage
tenants of the neighboring woods were not likely
to prowl abroad in full day light. He, however,
drew pistol from his belt, and arranged his car
bine in such way, that he could seize it at mo-
ment, from his sadde-bow. The steed seemed, for
moment, pacifed and his rider, having patted
and coaxed him, urged him onward once more.
The animal advanced about hundred yards, and
again reared, stopped short and gave the most
unequivocal signs of terror Siendiah again calm
/ ed the horse and pursued his way but scarcely
had he advanced twenty PAGES, when a rushing
sound was heard above his head, and in moment
the terrible folds of an enormous boa constructor
wound themselves three or four times round his
body. The horse uttered a neigh of intense agony
more like q human cry, than sound emanating
from the mouth of a brute--and galloped away as
if flying on the wings of the whirlwind.
Ry IN JnS nStinctiva convulsion of ,nortal a. ne
it were, the courier had thrown his arms upwards
ere the terrible snake had encircled him, and his
arms were consequently free. The moment the
horse darted away, the unfortunate man fell to the
ground, and the folds Of the boa tightened around
him, if the hideous reptile afraid of losing
his prey. scream of mortal agony--a cry of
indescribablc anguish--burst from the lips of the
courer--then he felt the snake dragging him rap
idly away from the middle of the road, towards
the trees. Tie pistol had fallen from his hand.
and although his arms were Free he wac Compare
lively powerless, in the grasp of the monster. A
fetid and sickly stencil, emanating from the rep
tiles mouth and body, almost 0verpowered him.
With desperate effort, he seized the coils of the
serpent with his two hands, and endeavored to dis
engage himself from its hold but the snake only
tghtened its folds around him, and he Immediate
ly grew faint and weak
The monster now worked with its tail in such
manner, that in few moments it drew the mes
SCHSeT up utO " trcc, ltS HluepuS leuStu UcluD
coiled round thick branch. This feat being ac-
complished it raised its head and actually glanced
into the face of the courier Its small but fero-
cious and sparkling eyes, gttered fearfully, and
its nauseous breath, hot and putrid, blew like
whitfs of flame upon the countenance of the
wretched Siendiah The snake then replaced its
head upon one of the coils which its body formed
around the messenger, and seemed to indulge in an
interval of repose .,.......,.
All this time, that miserable man was alive-in-
telligent and conscious Can any one imagine so
horrible stuationl Can human pen depict tho
appalling thoughts that filled this poor creatures
mind! At length the monster began to move its
enormous coils higher up his body and the courier
we'll knew that this was preparatory to crushing
him, in those horrible folds. He uttered piercing
scream, and faiuted- through excess of terror.
Suddenly sharp sound, like the crack of
rifle, rang in his ears-he awoke from his trance
he felt the coils of the monster slowly unloose
themselves from his body, and he fell to the
giound At the moment, the report of q do
rifles rang through the air, and then the sound
of human voices fell upon his ears. He opened
his eyes, and behed native bending over him
then some ardent liquor was poured down his
throat, and he partially recovered A litter was
formed for him, by his deliverers, who consisted of
party OF ten or twelve native hunters, and he
was conveyed to the English station; where medi-
cal attention, repose, and naturally good consti-
tuition speedily restored him to his usual health.
1t appears that his last scream had been heard
by the hunters, who were close at hand, and whose
fears had been excited by the circumstance of n
riderlesS horse having passed them Mt full gallop