The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-08-08
NUMBER %.

? He tried for long time to get through
the air-hole, which was too small for
his body. Finally, while making .
last effort, he suddenly turned his
head, and fixed his ewes with q rery
uneasy expression on a little bush
near him. He seemed undecided what
to do; then, letting go the object, hd
rested his hand Oh the ground, and,
pushing it against the earth with
all his strength, tried to force himself
through the hole. But his broad
shoulders, compressed on both sides
by the wall. held him like a vice, and
he could neither move one wav or am
other. Then his uneasiness increased;
and he looked again anxiousIy toward
the bushes. \ slight rustIing of the
leaves was then perceptible. and
small head emerged slowly from the
shadow of the branches. and extended
itself toward the savage. 1t was d
rattlesnake* Immova6le and with
fixed eyes, the Indian watched the
least movement Of the reptile, which
advanced softly and cautiously. rs if
aware of the strength and power of
his redoubtabIe adversary. When
within a few feet of the savage. it
stopped raised itself up, and, throw
ing out its forlled tongue, sprang to-
ward his face; but before he could
touch him, the Indian, as quick as
thought, gave him q violent blow with
the hand that was free, and the reptile
fell a short distance from him. Then
he began again to make every effort
to diSengage himself; but in vain.
The snake, now furious, advanced a
second time to recOmmence the attack.
/ but with more caution than before.
/ Approaching still nearer to his enemy;
he threw himself forward with much
greater violence, but without suceessj
for the hand of the savage sent him
rebounding further off than before
The Potawatamie then gathered al his
/ strength for final effort Of liberation;
but of no avail; he remained fast in
the opening of the air hole. Quick as
lightning, the reptile, now foaming at
the mouth, with blazing eyes, and
jaws swollen with rage, his forked
tongue extended, sprang with renewed
strength toward his prey. His scaly
skin glistened and sparkled IN the sill
/ very light Of the moon, and the slight
noise made by his rattles resembled
the rustling of parchment, and alone
broke the silence of the night This
mortal combat in the stiffness of night,
between a serpent and a wild savage
more subtle than the serpent, had an
indescribable fascination it was more
like a contest between two evil spir-
its, in the shadow of night, over some
unfortunate victim. The serpent now
approached so near the Indian that
he could almost have seized him with
his hand; he raised himself last time
and, throwing back his head, spTang
forward. The savage, guarding him
self carefully with his one hand, had
followed with his eyes the least move=
ment of the writhing body. 1t was
plain to see that the final fight had
begun, and could only terminate in
the total vanquishment of one or the
other Of the combatants. At the in
stant that the snake sprank like an
arrow upon his enemy, the Indian
raised his hand; but this time the at
tack of the reptile had been so rapid
and instantaneous that, before he could
strike him a blow, his fangs had en-
tered his cheek. 4 hOarse cry died
/ away in the throat of the savage. who,
seizing the serpent with his hand be-
fore he could escape, raised him to
his mouth, and in his rage tore him to
pieces with his teeth: a vain repri=
sal-the blow had been struck A
short time after the most horrible
cries and fearful commissions announc-
ed that the mortal venom had entered
his veins. The victim writhed with
despair in the midst of his excruciating
agony. 1t was thought at first that he
had finally succeeded in getting out;
I but subsequently they found the body,
enormously swollen, still held ip the
aperture Of the air-hOle. His blood
shot ewes were starting from their sock
cts. his face as black as ink, while his
gaping mouth revealed two rows of
white teeth, TO WHICH still clng the
fragments Of the reptiles skin, and
flakes ofbloody foam. Providence had
indeed terribly avenged the assassinaz
tion Of the young officer.
These reptiles were so numerous in this
part of the country not many years ago that
it was extremely dangerous 70 leave the win
GOwS open in the evening. My mother fela-
ted that, while she was living at Sandwich
with her father, one Of the dOmestIcs was
imprudent enongh to leave a window open.
During the eTening, they had occasion 20
move a sideboard which stood against INC me
wall, and large snake was discover, - -
hind il fast asleep. Another day Wheh
pIaying truaut, snake spr1ng upon neI,
and tried to bite her waist; but happIiy @ @heE
-+r =, ~, While she ran in great ter
Tor. her companions called her TO unite her
eIrirt And that advice saved her life
AUTHOR.
A GExTLENIES of elegant leisure and