Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-10-30

We had dug our shaft at the base of
ten-foot hin at McAllister's store, and had
driven N tunnel right through into the hill,
following ledge that yielded some rich
washing. The drive was veTy narrow, be-
inr only large enough Go give admission TO
one man. descended the shaft one morn
ing and entered the tunnel. Just MS was
about t0 drive i'm my pick a monstrous snake
rose up I'm front of me; nc had descended
the shaft during TIM night, and worked his
way into the end of the drive. BY the
light ct my candle sew il was a black
snake, one OF the most venomous Of Aus
tralian reptiles. 4 saw he was about 10
strike. and 80 drew hack, hHt in the act
sirnck mH head against the roof ofthc drive,
hitting myself such n severe blow that for n
moment lost my senses, and falling,
overturned the light and felt myself in total
darkness Something seemed 10 whiz over
me n half stupidity tried to raise myself
Ia a sitting posture / almost shrickcd with
terror. bui the instinct of self-pneScrvation
kcpt INC silent lay for some time listen
inc, and feeling certain that l had not been
mtten, 1 became possessed Of an irresistible
longing TO -et ont CO the hole. | crawlcd
l0 the mouth or the drift and there, at the
aattnan ef the shaa. / saw his SnakeShip
sQuirnfnE and twisting himself about. He
Lad struck for me, hut ON my falling hack
kaI Emissr1 me and went over me; then
probably being somewhat frightened him
sell, h. had sought tie mouth of the drift
@ mmke his escape. But he could not climb
me sha+k. although Inc was making every
efFHaa thAaaso. Il at once saw that could
not - &C. oF The hole without bringing ON
a coH1fic4 between the snake and myself. |
slaaulcd ~ to Bill CO bc ready o. hoist when
] gave him the signal. explaining as well
IS 1 could tine dangerous prydicament was
IA lsrAOw- To my shouting l received no
reply- mnC concluded thai lsill had left the
mouth ct tine chAft. probably 10 exchange
morming salutati0ns WiiR the men in the ad-
Joining claim. orto indulge i'm a friendly
plFAe with them. not srppoSing would re-
oEEfre his assistance - quickly. l saw that
the only course open 10 me was 10 disable
the SNAKE II possible, and then u make my
escape from tho silafi in the hest way that
could- Having made this resolve energ-
cd from the drsft, pick i'm hand, and made
n s-rlke E0r the snake before he had time 10
s7lrin-.
Thai Was fortunate stroAc- The pick
entered hrs hack and hrOke Lis spine lie
wEs TNCwg13CSs 70 reach me. | seized the
r1EEAc Eal u feE minutes eot cat OF the
hole- Ny fi-Si impulse was ~ throw my
scl1 en- my knees and offer a PRAYER Of
ElIaHSs fgr my uraTveioglS escape. Then |
called Bit lie descended the shaft and
succceaeG i'm passing switch benealh the
belly Ct the snake aI the point wncre the
spine was broken; then ne tied N. two
~ncS of tire switch together, aud we hoiSted
thc rgTaile &c the surface. lie measured
nine fegt tour inches Tie had given such
u terrible Sca-c that l resolved 10 he rcvcnC-
q up1n him. and vas for cutting off his
head ~ once. bu1 aparty of miners who had
gathered around Is begged that he might
- laid aCroSS III anI-hiil told them they
might dispose of him asJhcy pleased They
cz--ied him 10 81 adjoining ant hill and laid
him across il the spine heinE broken. he
ef cpurSe, could not escape. Then enSled
Il fichf- The ants attacked him I'm force,
aaG nc slaughtered them tv thousands, but
1hgr hurled lcCion after les-ion upon him.
anG I'M less than two hours all that remain
e 0f the snake WAS beautifully polished
skeleton which lay across the ant hill
cleaaAlrlC i'm the sunshine.