Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-25

( penetrate farther into it, while my companion
tried the ascent. 1 proceeded some distance.
and noticed the passage seemed to grow no
wider; but the vegetation became thinner at
every step, and atlength ceased almost entire
ly Here on looking up, saw that the crev-
ice was closed some fifty feet above, and be-
fore me was darkness, in which dared not
penetrate. While looking with sort of hor-
ror into this dark chasm which seemed to lead
directly toward the heart of the mountain. I
heard rustling sound proceeding from its re-
cesses,and started back appalled, at the thought
OF having entered, perhaps, the very don of
the fierce tiger or the dread lion. The noise
was repeated, and hastily turning, 1 retraced
my steps as silently and rapidly as possible. 1
cast my eyes mp among the rocks to discover
my companion, but found that had passed
the spot where he commenced climbing, and
as turned round to go back to the place I saw
through the bushes an enormous serpent glide
slowly toward me, along that part of the pas
sage | had traversed. He did not seem to be
aware OF the presence of any foe or victim.
but crept along with his body half concealed
'@H'NHS 'AS pAShCS, uEu HIS uGdu CLOSE 10 the
ground, until arriving under the native, and
probably alarmed at some noise the latter
made, he then reared himself several feet from
the ground and beholding the man above him,
gave loud and terrible hiss, and quick as
lightning coiied himself around the nearest
tree, and ascended to it's first boughs. The
sight paralyzed every mental and physical ia
Guilty possessed I had no life but in the
horror of gazing upon this frightful monster
horror which was greatly increased by the
peril in which it placed my companion. He
meanwhile heard the terrible kissing below
him, and became fully aware OF the extent of
his danger. He had climbed forty or fifty feet,
and was very high as the top of the
tree which the serpent was ascending in pur-
suit of him.
For ten or fifteen feet above where he now
stood the rock was perpendicular, and afford
ed no facilities for climbing, except its crew.
ces aud the bushes that grew from them. Up
he went, however, with incredible agility, un-
til within few feet of a spot where the wall
seemed to jut back, forming a sort of shelf;
here nothing seemed within his reach by which
he might raise himself higher, and for mo-
ment he paused. Above him, and quite out of
his reach, was decayed root, which did not
look strong enough to sustain his weight, and
above that was q strong bush which, if he
could but grasp, he felt certain of being able
to reach the shelf, where he could have some
chance of defending himself, and he observed
the top of the great opening was not far above
this, although closer examination would have
shown him it was impossible to reach it from
his present position, for the wall above the
shelf, and on either side, presented solid,
smooth front, without shrub or crevice. He
had not an instant to consider. He heard a
quick rustling in the tree below, a branch of
which ran near him, and again that sharp hiss
told him that his frightful enemy was almost
in reach of him. With the energy that des-
peration gives in such moments, he made a
spring up the perpendicular face of the rock.
Ii he missed his aim or the root broke, unless
he could seize the bush above it he was lost
for he would inevitably fall, and the serpent
would seize him as soon as he was within his
reach. The root did break almost an instant
after his weight WAS upon it, but the agile ma
tive had managed to lay his hand on the bush,
and after another powerful effort he was upon
the shelf. Seeing it was impossible to climb
further, he turned, settling his back firmly a
gainst the rock, drew his knife and fixed his
eyes upon his enemy.
l saw the latter wind himself around one of
the strongest of the high limbs, which would
bring him very near his victim, and then my
self possession returned. In fact, what have
said passed so rapidly before my eyes that
scarcely had time for action Of any sort. The
serpent had assembled the tree so swiftly until
concealed by its branches that 1 had no time
to fire, but now that he had exposed himself, l
determined to do so, although the shot might
endanger the native The frighttul monster,
in his revolutions around the limb, paused
whenever his head came above it, and fixing
his burning eyes upon his expected prey ,made
another turn round the limb, and every time
came nearer its extremity. AS his head came
fairly in view fired, aiming at his neck. The
report of the rife in the pent up place was
tremendous, and instantly turning his head to-
ward the tree, the serpent twisted himself in
to hard knot upon the limb. l distinctly
heard his blood drop on the leaves near my
feet thought 1 had done the business for
him, but was mistaken, for in oment, his
sing angry, he uncoiled himself and again ad
vanced along the branch. Ny companion had
LETT his fowling piece near where stood, and
seized it and fred the second time, but with
on. effect. He reached the end of the limb
which, though running horizontally,wa con-
t;nnance of the main body of the tree, and
having been broken near the shelf, was strong
cnouoh TO bear his weight and bend very lit