Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-10-12

ing upon the Elk. Every spring Brought
me nearer, Until there was not three
lengths between us l had raised my rife
and was about to fire, when my horse
stumbled and fell.
! was thrown far over his head, and the
next moment found myself astride of "Mr.
Elk" and greatly to that gentleman's sur
prise. .t g-s @
With aheavy sough, something between
a below and a grunt, he started over the
prairie at top speed, thinking, 70 doubt,
that he bad a panther or catamout be-
tween his shoulders. Notwithstanding
the peril was in, could not help laugh
ing at my ludicrous situation.
A short distance to our right, extended
a large pine forest and in that direction
the terrified beast was plunging. All my
endeaVors to turn him were unavailing.
and few moments after We had entered
it, and were doshing madly along through
its gloomy depths, a t.o i'.
IL hal now become thoroughly alarmed
and not little confused, when bright
idea entered my mind. Whipping out my
bowie-knite, | reached over until 1T rested
on the most vulnerable part of his body,
and putting the whole of my strength in
the blow, drove it deep in tie quivering
flesh. f # H
/ felt his body sinking under me as |
withdrew the blade, and after few short
springs he fell over on his side and ex-
pred. fortunately came uppermost,
and sustained no serious injury from the
fall. gAO E0a
Then Cor the first time a realization Of
my situation came over me. The gray
shadows Of approaching night were already
descending and | found myself bcnighted
in the midst OF forest, far from the hub-
itutions Of men. .f.
Determined to rake the besC of bad
JOB, kipdled fire, and after eating
few slices Of broiled elk steak, stretched
out at full length beside the fire, pipe in
mouth to smoke myself asleep.
There was an enchanting stiffness in the
air, broken only by the cracking knots in
the fire, and the sharp bark Of the raccCoD
and an occasional howl from a wolf.
! lay good while awake, listening to
thess sounds, until sort Of vail enyelop-
ed my senses, and turning over on my
side, | was soon in the land Of dreams.
l had slept perhaps two hours or more,
when / awoke. The FIRE had died out,
and | was in total darkness,
Sharp, darting pains shot through my
chest while the sweat of agony stood out
in great drtps OH my forehead
My body seemed as if pressed between
the Jaws Of u vice and it was with great
difficulty that I managed to breathe. I'm
consciously ] drew my hand up over my
body, when it came in contact with cold
Shiny substance.
All at once, a sudden conviction of the
truth burst hboh h,y soul was in the
folds of cobra de capello!
i Fortunately. my mind, in its intensity,
was clear, and | did not Shrek or cry out
at the dread knowledge. knew that
these snakes became perfectly harmless in
the night if a light is produced it hav-
ing the tendency to draw their attention,
and at the same time blinds them.
Knowing this to be my only chance, |
drew match cautiously from my pocket,
and holding it at arms length, gently
scratched it with my thumb-nail.
| felt the folds Of the monster tighten
about me as the match lit up the darkness
and saw him erect his hideous head and
turn it slowly around in the direction OF
the light.
managed TO grasp the kahdle of my
knife without disturbing him, and with a
well directed blow, clipped off his head
Then lowering the blade, ! drew it seve'
raj times across his body, and quickly
disengagipg myself, sprahg to my feet
The match had gone out, and | was
again in darkness, and although the dan.
ger was now past, an icy chill crept over
me, and felt as if | was about to faint
BY strong exertion | overcame il, how.
ever, and after cropping around in the
dark for some time, | succeeded in col
lecting a few dry sticks, and kiniled .
fire. 5,,
: | consulted my watch, and found it tC
be little past midnight 50 seating my
self on a log near BY, determined to keel
. awake for the remainder of the night
y All was dark around me, except in thu
direction of the roaring FIRE, which, flick
. eriug 10 the passing breeze made the seem
D look dismal enough, To add 70 ifs gloon
Q and cheeressress, Twas presently greetc'
r with the distsYt bowling Of pack of hun