Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-07-21

took up his lire of march with, presume. no
very correct idea Of his destination, but with
a commpndable desire, I doubt not to pro-
vide himself with shelter from the pitiless
storm that was raging about and invading his
dominions, the broad forest, of which he had
probably been an undsturbed occupant for
many years.
II cannot for one moment imagine that his
snakeship had any particular pcnchant for my
quarters, but it so happened that about one
o'clock at night, or rather morning, he
brought up at my tent, and acting upon the
old proverb, only a saying-of amy port in q
storm, he pitched in, without as much as say
ing BY your leave Sir and the first intima-
ton afforded me that was to be honored
with his distinguished presence, was the fact
that he was insnuating his c,ld, wet, and
horrid carcase directly across my legs, inst
above the knee joints, Having obtruded
himself thus far into good society, he seemed
to be entirely satisfied with himself, with me,
and, for aught knew, with the rest Of man.
kind, and the comfortable quarters into which
he had thus thrust himself unbidden; for /
am very certain, had | been permitted to
make choice Of a companion for the night, my
tendencies would not have been in that direc-
tion But here he was, quiet, and free from
the storm, and seemed nightly inclined, so
far as | could discover, to tarry for a while
But by this time l began fully to realize my
own position. ] had assumed, it the first
place, as all the indications were that way,
that it was snake, and my imagination, in the
second place, led me to suppose it was rat
tlesnake. OF course l had no positive knowl-
edge on the subject, for his entrance had
been unannounced; but [ thought / had a
right to make that assumption, and to govern
myself accordingly.
But the thought of such companion was
horrible y sleeping partner, too-a snake,
so lorbidding in every possible aspect, that
even at this time, although about nineteen
years have rolled over the incident, it makes
me shudder through every limb to think of!
But that was not the question uppermost in
my mind at ttat time. The question was :
low can l get rid Of him :? And it was a
nice question, too--one more easily conceived
than executed. ! knew the fix l was in, !
was fully aware Of my position; for my pres
ence Of mind had not for one moment desert
ed me.
although an intruder-although he had
presumed to poach upon my manor without
license--still | was aware that this king of
his species was to be treated with great re-
spoct and consideration, until | had got, at
least, beyond the reach his murderous fangs
| commenced, therefore, the process Of sliding
my legs out from under lim--not, to be sure
at n pace Of two-forty-but initiating more
the speed of the snail, and almost holding my
breath during the operation. | was fully
aware that my only safety lay in this. Per
haps might have got rid Of him in more
summary way, but in doing it, perhaps I might
have placed him in II position unsuited to his
dignity and contrary to his ideas of propriety,
and most probably retaliation on his part
would have followed, and | should have come
out second-best. But found my plan work
ing well, and persevered in its execution
BY dint Of great patience, | finally, after a
labor of some ten minutes or more succeeded
in finding myself free from my disgusting
companion. l at once threw off the mosquito
bar that surrounded my ground bed, stepped
| over my blankets, drew on my boots, as q
matter Of precaution, not knowing the precise
locality Of my pleasing and amiable compan-
ion at this time. | now seized II shil!alah
that | knew was standing in a corner of my
tent, for it was as dark as Egyptian darkness
itself, ana commenced failing my scanty bed
with an earnestncss that would have been
highly amusing to disinterested looker-on
| continued this healthful exercise for some
fifteen minutes, in the fond hope that some Of
my random blows, although given in the
dark, and without any knowledge of the local
ity Of his snakcship might be so fortunately
directed as to finish the career Of my enemy
But | was in total ignorance Of the result, and
had no means at hand by which l could throw
light on the subject. True, had candles
but what use We're they to me withoat match
es ?and Of them had none.
finally put on part of my clothes, threw
my cloak around me, took my umbrella, for it
was still raining in torrents, and sailed forth
into the camp. Bat here | was no better OF.
'h., hn1 l,lt tl.,n 4
darkness reigned supreme. The sentinel was
at his post, but it was useless to trouble him
with my story. My umbrella soon became
useless as a protection against the drenching
storm, and | was forced back to my tent for
shelter But here all was doubt and uncer-
tainty. What had become of the snake p
There was Il possibility that | might have Kill
led him, but there was an uncertainty about
it. But | ventured back, and drawing out
my rife case, which had served me for pill
low, | sat down on it, near the entrance TO
the tent, resolutely determined to watch the
waning hours until daylight should reveal to
me the result of my labors. The reader may
imagine my thoughts, but it would be difficult
to describe them. At length-it seemed al
most like an eternity-the dawn broke upon
another day. 1t was like q new life, new
being, new existence. Again the life blood
began to course freely through my veins, my
heart had gone back to its usual resting
place, and was again performing its acoustic
med functions, The first rosy tints of morn
ing satisfied me that my enemy was not in
sight. Where was he? Was he lurking in
some sly corner, ready to strike whenever
should approach him? Certain it was he had
not coiled himself about my legs, nor had he
wreathed himself about my body or neck !
Where was he, then p Perhaps had killed
him. Lucky thought. Why had it not oc-
CURED to me before Again 1 seized my stick,
the same identical one with which had per-
formed such wonderful deeds in the dark the
night before, and with this ! raised tue blanket
up, and there lay my sleeping companion, my
bed-fellow, now sleeping the sleep Of death.
After this occurrence, slept in my boat and
there was an additional tent for the use of