Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-03-21
LOST IN A JUNGLE

In the year 1854, | belonged to the
United States North Pacific Surveying
and Exploring Expedition. For some
months we had worked diligently in
Gaspar Strait, and along the Malay.
sian Islands, and at last had brought
our arduous labors TO close One
delightful morning, while anchored
near the island OF Banca, most of the
crew went ashore TO enjoy the pleas.
urcs of the day on land, myself among
the number. There was a beautiful
beach of sand and shell reached down
into the playful waters, and stretching
along for miles and, just beyond this,
belt OF green sward, like the bright
lawn of artificial grounds, with mighty
trees reaching far heavenward, and
which seemed as if standing sentries
over the thick, dark jungle that torn.
ed the background Of the romantic
scene. The air was soft and balmy, and
we anticipated rare pleasure in stroll
ing over this unknown region of beau
ty, and now and then perhaps ventur-
ing into its mysterious depths and
challenging the pcrils which we knew
aboundcd there in the shape of wild
beasts and reptiles. know not why,
but there seems to be certain charm
in concealed danger, if surrounded
with kind of romantic mystery, which
will oiten;imcs lure forward the most
tinid, and the day and the scene be-
fore us were well calculated to exercise
this influence upon US. We were eau
toned by the prudent not to venture
tar from the beach, nor become sepa.
rated from each other, but all to be
constantly within call, that in the
event Of being assailcd by either man
or beast, we might all be quickly
united against common foe. This
was good advice, and had i been one
who followed IL, | might have been
saved a good deal Of alarm and suffer.
ing
In company with shipmate, named
John Hallccl, | moved leisurely along
up the smooth shiny beach, stopping
now and then to pick up some beauti-
ful shell, or cast a stone into the wa
ter, or drink IN the beauties of as love-
~ scene as ever gazed upon. In
this way we two gradually became
separated from the rest Of our com.
panions, and, In course of a couple OF
hours, found ourselves far from our
boat, and entirely alone. This how
ever, gave us no uncasiness, rs each
was armed with u carbine, brace OF
pistols, and sheath knife, and consd-
cred ourselves equal to any probable
assalan,
We came TO n running stream oi
limpid water, that tumbled down over
its rocky bed from romantic cleva'
ton, beneath thick canopy of leaves,
shrubs and vines; and the temptation
to explore It's banks for n short dis
tancc, beneath the cool shade, was toe
great TO be resisted.
awe won't 20 far. Butler" said my
companion to me, "and there's no dan
ger Of our getting lost, because the
stream will guide us back"
did not need any pcrsuading, and
so we plunged into the tangled thicke'
at once. AT first we pushed our way
forward with considerable caution, and
confess cast my eyes around me IN
the heavy gloom with not little o.
timidity and moic than once, when
heard stick snap loudly, or the bushes
rustic with the hurried departure Of
some animal whose solitude we bnd
encroacbed upon, l grasped my car
binc with n nervous hand, and held
my ground with rather questionable
courage; but finding, as we advanced
that nothing molcsted us, and discov
ering that one at least Of our wild
beasts was very pretty little deer
we rcgained confidence, and felt the
bold spirit Of the eager hunter TAX,
possession Of us, and urge US forward
in quest Of game.
1T wouldn't be- q bad idea, Ned, Y
have q little irssh meat" suggestet
tmy companion. I