Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-02-02
IN THE FOLDS OF A BOA.
BY CAPTAIN DRUIN ADAMS.

"Brulu, boyee, said uncle Grizzly Adams
TO me, one might, as we lay out In the prairie
looking up al tho stars, want yer to tell
me bout that big sarpini KEN so nigh putin
out your chunk, when Yur war down in that
cursed keptry whRr the REPTILES grows"
As the old iTapper spoke, his words re-
calling one oil the, If not the most dangerous,
as well as horrible adventures oil my lie,
felt an involuntary shudder prevade my ca
lire frame.
II had been an unusually hot day, even for
the latilude-Central America-one Of those
days when II requires an absolute effort to
move, much less work
Such being the case, the chain anl COM
pass were laid by, and all hands sought such
diversion as best suited their iancies.
Tom Didlake suggested an hour or 40 on
the river, where, beneath the inlerlacing
boughs overhead, that completely shut out
the rays of the sun, we might find a degree
of GOODNESS no, to be hoped for on land.
Tie idea suited, and in few MINUTES we
were in the broad bottom scow, which we
pushed out into the sluggish current, il cur
rent it could be called and permitted to
drilt as II saw proper.
The change was not much for the better,
though we did fancy that once in while
faint puff of air came stealing up from
below, and with the delusion we were
satisfied. How long we floated thus ! know
not.
remember seeing, as though in dream,
Didlake drop back against the stern-shcets,
last asleep, ant then must instantly have
followed his example, for TecOllect nothing
more for some time, until awakened
suddenly, and in manner far from agree
able.
| The first sensation ON returning, or patti-
ally returning 10 consciousness, was that o
oppression, almost OF suffocaton.
The very air brcathed seemed thick will
some subtle, though tearIuly oif.nsi7t
odor.
In vain tried to shake of the nightmare
for such supposed it TO be.
The weight upon my chest grew heavier
my breath came and went in labOred gasp
in a word, felt that was smotherlng, au(
with desperate effort, gave violent sta
arose to a sitting posture, aud opened ny
eyes upon scene that certainly won't fadi
from memory very sl0n.
The scow had dIilted into shore, ant
lodged against the projecting root OF a larg
tree, the branches Vi which hung down al
most touching the water
Ddlake lay as | had last seen him, fas
asleep, and evidently suffering as | ha
done.
Between us, descending from amid th
thick boughs overhead, was the long, Milan
body Of hugh serpent, his great, fiat head
with its wide jaws, giis,euing iangs, an
terrible bright eyes, oscillating backwar
and forward, wilhia two feet Of my face
and seemingly undetermined which Of tn
two victims he would strike.
My sudden movement decided him
saw the body grow rigid as it swun
/ back for tie blow, the jaws flew sli
, wider apart; kissing, accompanied wit
an increase Of the horrd odor, and thoi
as insliuclively threw forward the paddl
1 held as shield, | shut my eyes, an
waited.
/ Instead Of the deadly sweep Of the reptil
{ | heard Sharp twanging sound from III
shore, the hiss of an arrow as it cut close
my enr, aud the thud OF the missile as
\ buried IFS fllnty head amid the scales th
, covered the monsters body.
4 A mighty rustling OF leaves above, as ii
a plant tail lhrashed about in agony, then a
e al once the whole bouy came thuuderiu
d down into the boat, and in the twinkling
q on eye was envelopod in The folds oil Il
o dying boa
Oh, the agony of that momehl ! ha
q laced death many and many time, will
!. out especial dread, but this was tho
a sand times wor than even Comanche
n totture-post.
My shrieks aroused Didlake, but he W
~ rendered absolutely powerless by fright.
d But there was other and more efficient a
n at hand.
IA AS lost consciousness under tie lCarl
~ pressure that was crushing the slile out
n me, saw figure, black as night, LEI
a from the bank into the boat, heard Il fl
h quickly delivered blows, and then-unct
IN sCiOusness.
a. lu five minutes they revived me by
in plentitude of river water, and the first {
rs ject or objects upon which my eyes lell WI
of the various pieces OF my late autagonI
or who had thus been disposed olby the naliv
ar mGchete.
"Lordy, hoyee," exclaimed old Griz2
-. "thet war tigAt Iubbin'. raaly do BILE
If. II would "a been the finishing OF me. Pau
the burned repttlel'