American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-05-03

ihe lhaiah towns, ms lnhuman captors
urging him on. when helagged, with
their knives, aud tauutipgly reminding
him OF the trials which awaited him at
the end Of the journey. Nothing daun-
ted, however, by their threats and mem
aces, he marched on in The weary path
which led him further and further from
his friends, perfectly iractable, SO far
as their body was concerned, but con
stantly busy in his mind with schemes
of escape. He bided his time, aud at
length the wished for moment came.
As the distance from the white settle.
men,s increased, the vigilance ofthe In.
dans relaxed and his hopes increased
AS the party passed along the edge of
a precipice some twenty feet high at
the foot of which ran u mountain torrent
he, by a powerful effort, broke the
cords which bound his arms. and made
the leap. The Indians, whose aim was
TO take him alive, followed him, and
then commenced race for life and
liberty, which was rendered the more
exciting by the fac: that his pursuers
were close upon him, and could at any
moment have despatched him. But
such was not their desire, and on, on,
he sped, now buoyed up by hope as
his recent captors were lost To sight and
anon despairing of success as he crossed
an open space which showed them al.
most at his heels. At length, taking adj
vantage of a thieket through which he
passed and which hid him from their
sight for moment, he darted aside and
ossayed to leap fallen tree which lay
across his path.
The tangled underbrush and reeds
which grew thickly around and almost
covered the decaying trunk, trpped
him as he leaped and he fell with consid-
cradle force on the opposite side. For
an instant he was stunned by the fall as
10 lose his Consciousness, but soon re.
covered it 10 find that the Indians we're
actively searching every nook in his i'm
mediate vicinity, and that he had fallen
almost directly upon large ra,tlesnake,
which had thrown itsefinto the deadly
coil so near his face that his fangs were
within few inches Of his nose.
Is it possible for the most vivid i'm
ag!ns.ioa 10 conaeiyo of more horri-.
j BILE and terrifying situation? The pur-
suit of his now highly exssperated and
savage enemies, who ,hirsted for his re-
capture, that they might wreak upon
him fearful revenge, which, of itself.
was fearful danger calculated to thrill
the nerves oft stoutest system, had
now become secondary fear Tor death
in one ofthe most terrifying and soul
sirickening forms, was vibrating on the
tongue aud darting from the eye of the
fearful reptile before him, so near, too,
that the vibratory motion Of his rattle as
1t waved to and fro, caused it to strike
his ear. The slightest movement Of
muscle, convulsive shudder, almost
the winking OF an eyelid, would have
been the signal for his death. Yet, in
the midst of this terrible danger, his
ipresence of mind did not leave him,
but like faithful friend did him good
service in his hour Of trial. Knowing
the awful nature Of his impending fate,
and conscious that the slightest quiver-
ing of a nerve would precipitate it, he
scarcely breathcd, and the blood flow.
ed teebly through his veins, as he lay
looking death in the eye. Surrounded
thus by the most appalling danger, he
was conscious that three Of the Indians
had passed over the log behind which
he lay, without observing him, and dis
appeared in the dark recesses of the
forest.
! Several minutes---which to him were
as many hours-passed in this truly ter
rifyiug situation until tho snake appa-
\ mt 3 bot H.. 4
his deadly coil, and passed directly ooer
ms 6ody, was lost to sight in the luxu.
rant growth of the weeds which grew
up around the fallen tree. Oh. what
thrlll--wbat reyulson offeeliug shook
his frame as he was relieved from his
awful situation. Tears--tears ofioyous
gratitude coursed down his cheeks as he
poured out his heart to God in thank
fullpess for his escape. "I had eaton
nothing" said he to his CON panions after
his retorn, "for many days, | had no
firearms, and run the risk Of dying
with hunger before could reach tho
settlements; bot rather would | have
died than made meal of that generous
beast.' He was still in immediate dan.
ger of the Indians, who knew he had
hidden in some secluded spot, aud were
searching with the utmost zeal every
nook and corner TO find him. He was
fortunate enough however to escape
them. andafter weary march through
the wilderness, during which he suffered
intensely from hunger, no reached tho
settlements.
---~---------------s ost.-------D.------
To Select Eggs containing Moie or
Female Chickeas.--If female birds are
required select tho roundest and plump.
est shaped eggs, but for males tho long.
est and most pointed. Another by the