Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-07
Thrilling Encounter with Black
Snakes.
From the Boonsboro (Md.) Odd Fellow.


From the Boonsboro (Md) Odd Fellow.
Prof. j Mitchell, the celebrated South
Mountain Wizard" while out cunning last
Friday. had most thrilling adventure with
den of black snakes, known as "raccr,"
from which he narrowly escaped with lis Lille
As is his habit, the Professor had taken his
.voritc carbine and gone into the mountain
after squirrels. Best art Of tie forenoon had
been spent in beating through the bush aud
over the rocks without meeting with any ad-
venture, and but ordinary SUCCESS in procur-
ing game, etc. Suddenly, however, he came
20 ledge Of rocks about mile from the
South Mountain House
Stopping o moment to take survey CT the
surroundings, he saw o large black snake
stretched out on rock summing himself. lie
at once took up couple Of stones and threw
oue at his snakeship, but unfortunately miss.
cd him. This aroused the shake, and II IN
SAINT he uncoiied himself. and stood with bis
head erect, as if indignant at this Intrusion,
and at the came time gave loud, shrlil hiss
or ,athcr a whistle. The Professor delivered
his second stone with such precision as to NOR
tally wound his enemy. No sooner, however
had he thrown the stoce when ne heard
rustling amopg the brush to his left, and an
other whistle louder and shriller than the
first. Turning Lis eye in the direction from
whence cane the noise, he saw monstrous
black snake Ca racer) coming directly towards
him. with head erected about five feet from
the eround and his forked tongue dart
ing from his distended jaws as if bent on
fight.
The Professor (who is an acknowledged
crack shot) Immediately raised his carbine,
fired and had the proud satisfaction of seeing
the y ,nster suake roll over in the agonies Of
death-having split his head open with
hall Thi proved but the commencement Of
the battle; ior before the Professor had time
to congratulate himself upon his success in
vanquisbing two of bis foes, Q third one
measuring about eleven feet in length, and
thick in proportion, had approached to within
n few feet of him, his head erect, Kissing and
darting his tongue out in manner to appal
the stoutest heart TO retreat was out OF the
question /; fight was the only alternative,
and quick as thought be leveled hiE carDinc
at the snakes mead, but, unfortunately, miss
ed it. at the same time dropping it ibis car
binei upon the ground. With the rapidity OF
Iiehtnine the black snake attacked the Pro-
Esssor. and commenced winding his slmy
coils around his legs nnd body tighter and
tighter at every coil of his ioalhaome torm,
until the Professor was unable to move
| foot.
His efforts TO extricate himself from the
6 coils of death"-as they seemed to be
were unavailing, for with every effort the
colds tjghtencd, ard the work of respiration
Lecame difficult. Death and the snake star
ed biu, in the face, and made the cold cbills
Of rror and agony creep over his body. 1t
was 4 fearful momcnt-a moment OF the
most intense horror and agony, that made
IN. flesh creep, the blood chill, and the hair
literally "stood on end. like quillS upon o
rretfu, porcupine." Nothing but his great
nTesencs of mind saved him from strangula-
lion and u oalhsome death. Recolecun!g
that his hunting knife hung b. his side, ne
seized it, and, with his nerves braced by dcs-
nair drew it across the body Of the snake,
severing il at stroke. The coils relaxed the
snake dropped at his feet, and the Professor
was free again.
By this s;me he heard great rustllng IN
the bushes, ard !ho dry bark cracking IN
every direction, accompanied hy loud, shriil,
angry Kisses and wbistling, rs If the whole
surrounding woods were filled with snakes
Deeming discretion the better part OF valor'
he hastily grabbed up bis carbine, girthed bis
hunting knife ard beat precipitate retreat
The Professor was pursuedby the black snakes
| for some distance, but being in hurry he
had no time to look and count the numbers.
lie says that had they como one at time
he would not have retreated; but to attack
him BY companies, brigades and divisions was
enough 10 frighteu any man.