The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-31
MY Hunting Adventure.
BY 4 RETIRED MAJOR.


onite unexpectedly, met with an OLD
friend named Wallace whom had not seen
for ten wears. Of course our greetings
were of the most cordial nature, ana nun
dred eager questions we're asked anu an.
swered on both sides. He had come OUT 70
India, partly on business ana party io'
pleasure, and was then engaged IN .ne gio-
rious sport Of hunting, as ne termed IT, I'M
der the tuition and guidance OF an expe-
rienced native. He made me promise 10
spend week with him there.
We passed the remainder of the day IN
talking over past events, inquiring after
different friends, and getting ready for an
early start the next morning into the soli-,
tary depths of the great Ghaut range. AT
the first streak of day we were up; and IN
half an hour we had finished our break
fasts, had our dinners slowed in our wallet,
and, rifle in hand, were sallying forth be-
hind the lead of our Hindoo guide.
Joreb, as my friend called this fellow,
was o small, lght-built man Of thirty,
slender, supple, and quick, with rather
intelligent face and small, keen, black
eye that apparently let nothing escape 1t.
lie wore a kind of sack Of leopard skin,
without sleeves, which was belted around
his waist and reached TO his knees; and
this, with sort Of turban for his head and
some coarse shoes for his feet, completed his
attire. To his belt was attached o scimetar,
and he also carried q short rifle. Our own
weapons were a double-barreled rifle each,
brace of pistols, ard large belt-knite.
We struck off directly into the forest, to-
ward the mountains, and after proceeding
for mile or two through q rather open
wood, we came upon spot where recent
tornado had performed its work of destruc-
ton. Soon after this we struck into jun
gle so dark and dense that | confess was
almost afraid to enter it for, besides the
dangers that might beset us from wild
beasts and serpcnts, there was possibility,
| thought, of our getting lost and never be-
ing able to find our way out.
$50 far" said |, 81 don't see the glori-
Gus sport you tell about and if we should
happen to miss our way here, fear never
shall"
"Don't be alarmed, my FRIEND" said
Wallace, with careless laugh; "Joreb
here knows every inch of ground for miles
around"
"But docs he know where every tiger
may happen to have his lair?"
"Oh, for that matter, we must risk Scme-
thing, Major
We worked our way into the thick jungle
in a slow and laborious manner, and had
advanced perhaps half a mile, when the
guide, who was slowly and carefully pick
ing his way through the thick tangle few
feet in advance Of us, suddenly stopped,
and held up his hand in warning manner,
or nj least as caution and silence.
We halted at once in our tracks, and
stood like statues, awaiting his further in
structions. confess that my heart beat
faster, and l perceived my friends grasp
tighten on his rifle as he slowly, cautiously,
and silently brought it forward, ready for
instant use. For nearly minute the guide
stood without motion, his body erect, and
his neck stretched upward, apparently
peering at some object not visible from
where we stood. At length he lowered his
head by scarcely pcrccptible motion till
he had brought his body into a crouching
posture, and then he noiselessly stole back
to us.
"What is it, Joreb ?" asked my COM
panion in a whisper.
"a big serpent, MASTER" answered the
guide, who could speak our language almost
as well as his mother tongue.
Where is it is it near us ?" demanded |
my courageous friend, who looked at the
moment as though he would rather 90 back
than forward.
"I'll show you. MASTER" returned the |
native, taking hold Of his hand as if to lead |
him forward.
90 Is it near us? is there any DANGER"
said Wallace, holding back and glancing at |
me.
"And if there is" said l, feeling a sort
of malicious pleasure in repeating his |
words, you know we must risk something
for your glorious sport"
Wallace flushed to the temples and bit
his lips; and, turning to the guide, | added:
" Lead me forward, if you please. do
not profess to be over-courageous but ]
promise not to run till you set the exam
pie"
"No noise, MASTER" said the guide, mo-
tioning me to follow him.
did so, with the utmost caution, till we
reached the spot where we had first stopped,
when he silently pointed up through little
opening amongthe thick branches to large,
spreading tree that seemed to be distant
between fifty and hundred yards.
" Look" he whispered, "and tell me if
you see it."
"On the tree ?" inquired.
"Yes, along the branches, but almost hid
by the leaves"
looked as directed, keenly and steadily,
but at first could discover nothing that
might not belong to the tree itself. There
were places, thought, where some of the
lower limbs bulged out rather more than
was in keeping with the otherwise sym
metrical proportions of the tree; but these,
to my mind, were no proofs Of any extrane-
GUS matter.
was about to turn away, with the re-
mark that | could not perceive anything |
unusual, when fancied saw something
move. lifted my finger as sign of eau
tion to my friend, who was carefully Gid
ing up to take my place, and looked steadi-
". | was not mistaken. Something did |
moye on that tree, behind thick cluster
of leaves, and then slowly and gradually |
the mottled head of a tremendous snake
rose into full view, sending thrill of hor-
ror through my whole frame. Then could
understand the bulge of the limbs, which |
our more experienced guide had compre
hended at a glance. They were the coils of
the monster, which was there waiting for
its prey. Slowly, steadily, up rose the
broad, hideous head and neck, some two or
three feet, the eyes apparently fixed upon |
some object in the dark jungle below; and
then the neck began to arch, and the head |
to reach forward and descend, the fiery
eyes seemingly growing brighter and more
malignant, and the red, forked tongue |
playing with lightning rapidly. Suddenly
there WAS q kind of flashing as of LIGHT |