Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-08
A THRILLING RENCoHTRE.
CAPTAIN sPEKE's ADVENTURE WITH A BOA G.

A THRILLING RENCoETRE.
CAPTAIN sPEKEs ADVENTURE WITH BOA CoNsrR1c-
At the earliest possible moment after our
camp had been pitched hunt was set afoot and Cap
tain Grant, myself and some attendants we're soon max
ing our way to "the path" There were no animals
there when arrived, except few hippoPotami, and
we were therefore obliged to wait the coming of some
more palaable game. Our patience, however, was
severely taxed and after long delay, were about
to "bag" hippopotamus when of our attendants
perched in tree about half mile distant, began wa
wing bis blanket. This was signal that game ap
preaching We Immediately drew into cover, and
awaited the coming of the latter.
We were not delayed long, for presently long COL
umn of animals, from the elephant to the hoodoo ap-
peared in view, trotting at good pace to the river
Their tanks presented to u.s. and each select
ing his object, fred. McCoi ehot fine young buffalo
COW, while Captain Grant equally successful with
hoo doc and several spears cast by attendants,
stopped the career Of or two different animals OF
the heard
At this juncture, however, occurred an unexpec-
ed adventure that finished sport at least for that
day. had sprung forward, Immediately after firing
in order to obtain fair shot at huge elephant that
| wanted to bring down on account of his immen sc
tusks. got the desired aim, and pulled the trigger
of my second barrel. At the moment of my doing
wild cry of alarm, uttered by of the blacks,
called my attention. CHANGING round, my eye chan
ced to range up into the foliage of the tree beneath
which Capt. Grant and myself had lain for several
hours previous. My feelings may possibly ts ina
gined, as I beheld enormous boa constrsct or,
whose hideous head and neck projected some distance
into view, showed that he was about to make Ia
tai spring. His direction certainly toward me
and, be flashed from bis position like thulderbolt,
gave myself up, for ere aid could reach me, fold
after fold of the monster would have crushed my
strong frame into quivering pulp. fell, seeming
ly caught in whirlwi4d of dust, and strange, in
describabe acuf1a ensued.
In the midst of this terrible strife, suddenly became
CONSCIOUS of second victim, and even after the time
that had ELAPSED since then still recolect with what
vyidness the thought shot across my mind that the
second victim was Captain Grant, my noble compan-
ion. At last after being thus whrd about for several
seconds each second seemed to be inerminabe there
ensued lul Stiffness of death, and opened my eyes,
expecting to look upon those unexplored landscapes
which are seen only n the country beyond the tomb
Instead of that saw Captain Grant leveing his rifle
towards me, while, standing beside and behno him,
the blacks in every conceivable attitude OF the
most intense suspense.
In moment comprehended ALL The huge serpent
had struck young buffalo cow between which and him
had unluckily placed myself at the moment OF firing
upon the elephant. most singular good fortune had
attended me- however, for insesd of being crushed into
manp led mass with the unfortunate COW, my left fore
arm had only been caught in between the bualos body
and single fold of the constructor. The limb ai JUST
10 front of the shoulder at the root of the neck, and
thus had soft bed of hesh into which it was damned,
as it were by tbs immense pressure of the sepents
W.
about to shoot terror took possession OF me- for if
be RETAINED might possibly escape, after the boa re-
leased his folds from the dead But SHOULD he fire
and strike the reptile it would in its commissions crush
| or drag me to pieces.
Even as the idea came to me, beheld Grant pause.
He appeared to comprehend ALL He could see how L
was situated, that was still living, and that my ae
| livery depended on the will OF the constructor. we
could every line on each others ace 80 close were
We and would have shouted or spoken, or even whs
pered at him, had dared But the boas head was
reared within few feet of mine and the wink OF an
eyed would perhaps settle my doom 80 stared, star
| ed, like dead man at Grant and at the blacks
Presently the serpent began very gradually to relax
his folds and after retghtening them several times
the crushed buffalo quivered be unwound one fold
tirey. Then he paused The next iron like band was
the which held me prisoner and as felt it little
unclasping my heart stood still with hope and fear
Perhaps upon being freed, the benumbed arm, uncon-
trolled by my will, might fall from the cushionike bed
| in which it lay. And such mishap might bring the
spare fold around the neck or chest and then farewell
to the sources of the Nile o. how hardly, how desper-
ately struggled to command myself! glanced at
| Grant and saw him handling his riha anxiously.
glanced at the negroes and saw them still gazing, as
though petrifed with astonishmant. glanced at the
serpent s loathsome head and its bright, deadly
eyes, watching for the least sign of life in its prey Now
then the repete loosened its fold on my arm hair
BREADTH and now little more until hall an inch o.
space separated my AMI its notified skin. couc
have whipped out NY hand, but dared lot take the
risk.
Atoms of time dragged themselves into ages, and
minute seemed eternity itself The second fold was
removed entirely, aud the next one was easing Should
[ dash away now or wait more favorable movement
decided upon the former and, with lightning speed
BOUNDED away toward Grant, the crack q whose
piece heard at the same instant. For the first time
in my life l was thoroughly overcome and sinking
down. remained in seml.unconsclous state Tor several
minutes.
When fully recovered Grant and the overjoyed ne
gross held up, and pointed out the boz, who was
still writing in his death agonies. l shuddered as
locked upon the effects of his tremendous dying strength
For yards around where he lay grass and bushes and
saplDgs and in fact everything except the more fully
grown trees, cut clean of, as though they had
been trimmed by immense scythe. This monster,
when measured, ftyone feet two inches and hall
in extreme length while round the thckest portion OF
his body the girth nearly three feet thus proving
believe, to be the largest serpent that was authen
ticaly heard of.
WILMINGTON, CHARLOTTE AND RUTHERFORD
RAIL ROAD COMPANY.
The annual meeting Of the stockholders OF this com
pany was held in Lncolnton, on Wednesday, 50tn ui-
tmo.
The meeting was org snized by calling James
Hutchison of Meckenburg, to the chair and appoint
ing V. A. McBee, OF Linconton, ana james =. MIC
Catlum of Richmond Secretaries.
Althouoh the attendance was thin the majority OF
the stock was represented and the usual business trans
acted.
r. e. Cowan, of Wilmington, WIS re elected Presi,
dent and the former Board OF Dire ors, Tor the most
part, continued.
resou ton was passed. rendering the thanks OF the
stockholders to His Excslleucy, Gov. Vance, for his
jealous efforts 10 behalf of the interests OF the compa
ny.
>''~'- Charlotte Bulletin.