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


and noticed the passage seemed to grow no
| wider; but the vegetation became thinner at
every step, and at length ceased almost entire
ly. Here on looking up, / saw that the crev-
ice was closed some fifty feet above, and be-
fore me darkness, in which 1 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,
heard a rustling sound proceeding from its re-
cesses, land started back appalled, at the thought
of having entered, perhaps, the very den of
the fierce tiger or the dread lion. The noise
was repeated, and hastily turning, retraced
my steps as silently and rapidly as possible. L
cast my eyes up 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, L saw
through the bushes an enormous serpent glide
slowly toward me, along that part Of the pas
sage had traverScd. He did not seem to be
aware of the presence of any foe or victim,
but crept along with his body half concealed
among the bushes, and his head close to the
ground, until arriving under the native, aud
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 its first boughs. The
sight paralyzed every mental and physical fa-
Guilty I possessed. l 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. lie
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 near as 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 and the bushes that grew from them. Up
he went, however, with incredible agility, I'M
til within few feet of spot where the wall
seemed to jut back, forming sort Of shelf
here nothing seemed within his reach by which
he might raise himself higher, and for a mo-
ment he paused. Above him, and quite ont of
his reach, was decayed root, which did not
look strong enough to sustain his weight, and
above that was a 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 q 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 a solid,
smooth front, without shrub or crevice. He
had not instant TO consider. He heard
quick ruStling in the tree below q branch of
which ran near him, and again that sharp hiss
told him that his frightful enemy was almost
in reach of HIM. With tEe energy that dcs-
pcraton gives in such moments, he made
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
IuA I'C SNiiCu. SStIllil DssSh HIIIIiS IL
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 I
scarcely had time for action Of any sort. The
serpent had ascended the tree so swiftly until
concealed by its branches that l had no time
to fire, but now that he had exposed himself,
determined to do so, although the shot might
endanger the native. The frightful 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 l fired, aiming at his neck. The
repor! 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 a hard knot upon the limb. / distinctly
heard his blood drop on the leaves near my
feet. l thought L had done the business for.
him, but was mistaken, for in a moment, his
sing angry, he uncoiled himself and again ad-
vanced along the branch. Ny companion had
LETT his fowling piece near where stood, and
1 seized it and fred the second time, but with
out effect He reached the end OF the limb
which, though running horizontally, was con-
tlnIance of the main body of the tree, and
having been broken near the shelf, was strong
enough to bear his weight and be5d very lit
tie. Here, his head flattened and his arched
and swollen crest rIow;n- lttye Ara bs nranar-