Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-04-12


some heavy body within it, while almost
Immediately there appeared, in p ain view
a monster of such hdeous appearance
that felt the blood freeze through my
veins and gather about my heart, as if ap-
palled by some horrible visitant ftom the
other world.
My powers of seription are limited
bat had l the language of Milton or
Dante, could only hope to convey to
your minds faint idea of the hideousness
Of the living creature that now stood be-
fore me and as to its voice--its tones OF
warning anger and defance-I know not
to what they can be likened, unless you
can imagine the bark of dog, the growl
of tiger, the snarling of wolf, the
trumpeting of an elephant, all united and
combined with sulpherous vomitings f ON
the regions of Pandemonium.
In shape he was like man-but like
a man deformed-wiih monstrous big
chest and body-small head, planted down
between his shoulders-large, long arms
and huge hands-and short, thick bow
l'es, terminating in hands instead object.
He stood erect like man, was nearly six
feet in height, and was covered all over,
face and all, with short, black hair. His
head was small in proportion to his body,
and had human conformation. Fierce,
glittering grey eyes, set deep in the hol-
low, cavernous sockets, rolled and glared
Economically. The forehead was low, and
retreaied sharply. There was but little
nose, with high, prominent cheek bones.
The mouth was immense, with huge,
massive jaws, and short thin lips, that
parted angrily. only to display ferocious
and formidable set of teeth, the canine
being long and sharp pointed.
He stood before us-erect, defiant and
awful-utering the horrible roar ! have
attempted to describe, and beating his
breast with his huge fists producing hol-
low, drum-like sound. that combined with
all the rest, was truly terrific, and made
me wish I was safe beyond his reach.
Then he advanced few steps, with sort
of rolling, waddling motion, stopped again,
with his cleaning eyes fixed intently on
u.s. beat his breast as before, and uttered
that prolonged and dreadful roar.
stood on the defensive, wisely deter.
mined to reserve my fire for the approach
ing crisis of my fate, hoping and praying
/ might be successful in putting an end tc
the monster. l had been in many perilou:
situations before, but none that ever af
fected me with so much terror. One mo-
ment an icy chill would make me. shiver
ana the next, perhaps, 1 would feel Q
burning flush sending out the perspirator
in streams. l glanced at the African, ant
saw him firmly planted, with his spear
poised for the onset, his eyes dilated, hi:
nostrils expanded, and his breast heaving
No run now, master !" he said, in low
thick, inarticulate tones "no 'scape hin
by ron. Him swift as tiger-strong a.
elephant. Must kill! /"
Shall l fire now, Mocha ?"
No fire he come nigh-den fire thro
heart"
He was coming nearer and nearer, BY
| ela Il at tuit
a short, awful roaring and breast-beatin!
interval between, and thus | had time t,
think over many of my sins, and sa,
prayers that had been too long neglected
"Mocha, be ready" said, when th
monster had once more stopped TO roa
and beat his breast within ten PAGES. "
am about to end this suspense--I an
about to fire.
took deliberate aim-but, in spite Q
all l could do, my arms shook SO that
was afraid TO pull the trigger, and twice
lowered the weapon to get more steadines
Of rerve. 1t was as if sme fearful spel
was upon me; and at the third trial
seemed as if the fingers of my right ham
were paralyzed and would not obey m,
villa fact for which l have never beel
able TO account.
The monster again advanced, and nov
not more than five or six PAGES divide,
us, and he appeared as if about to max,
his final desperate rush. Delay nov
would be death-and summoning all m,
will, pulled both triggers in succession
Only one barrel was discharged by th,
act, the other missing fire but one bal
went straight TO its mark, and lodged il
the breast of the gorilla. 1t did no
bring him to the earth, however, but mad,
him wildly furious and gna>hing hi
teeth. and uttering most unearthly shriek
and yels, he bounded forward for his re
venge. Quick as lightning the gallsn
Mocha threw himself before me anc
struck with his spear-but it might a
well have been reed. One blow Of tn,