The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-17

water. IL was light ana dry, ana Hoat-
ed finely; and as he saw how well it
bore his weight, he could not help con-
graduating himself upon his good for
tune thus far.
Ellis secured his rifle, and stretched
himself out In an easy position upon the
log; and being wearied, before he was
aware of 1t he dropped to sleep. He had
about fairly got off in the land of
dreams, when with an Ughl" he
dropped beneath the surface, and gently
touched the bottom. AS he rose his
head struck directly against the bottom
of the log, and in no pleasant mood he
reached up and clambered upon 1t. The
log, in its course, had kept at distance
from the shore but, in turning bend,
one end turned the bank, and thus dis
lodged Ellis.
Dispute the uncomfortable feeling
which this misfortune had produced, the
hunter felt that he was again passing
into sleep. And he had reached that
peculiar, semi-conscious state, in which
the nerves are most sensitive, when
there came a sound that made him
quake with horror 1T was at his feet
and with o chill of dread he threw them
in and worked his way as far from it as
possible. Here he held his breath, and
it was repeated-the fearful warning of
the rattlesnake. Ellis peered in the
darkness, but no object was visible; yet
the reptile was within six feet of him,
and from its movement was evidently
preparing to strike.
Ellis haste in retreating had given
the log an up and down motion and as
his portion was depressed and the oppo-
site rose, he shrank still further, fearing
that the serpent would either drop or
slip upon him.
In gliding down stream, Ellis passed
portion of the shore which was devoid
of trees. AT that moment the opposite
end arose and by the aid of the moon he
caught the shadowy outlines of the head
and upper part of monstrous rattle
snake protruding from rotten aperture
in the log. He was making prepara-
tions to strike, and while yet visible, he
clubbed his rifle and brought crushing
blow directly upon it. This species of
snake is easily killed, and nothing more
was required to dispose of the one in
question; yet to make matters doubly
sure, he again raised his gun, and
brought in down with greater force
AS it struck, the collision between the
log and the hammer discharged it, and
the bullet passed so close as to Craze his
side.
This was danger and escape unlocked
for, and Ellis began to really wonder
whether he was doomed to be killed by
his own carelessness, or destined to see
more providential escapes.
Ellis managed, after much difficulty,
with the aid of his rifle, to disengage
the reptile and fling it into the water
He had just begun to breath freer and
easier, when he was Mortified by hearing
another deadly rattle from the same
place that the first had come ! There
was then still another Ellis knew
where the snake must be: and without
hesitation, brought his rifle down with
crushing force upon it. He felt that he
had killed it, yet he was not certain that
he was yet free from danger, as there
might be more concealed within. After
waiting few moments, and hearing
nothing, he forced his gun into the
aperture, and pulled forth the snake,
raised it over his head, in order to throw
it from him. AS he did so, it slipped
down, and fell loosely around his neck.
"Ugh get out" he fairly shrieked,
as he jerked it from him.
There was no danger of Ellis sleeping
any more that night. He remained up
on the log until the gray mist upon the
stream showed that the morning had
commenced breaking. He then worked
it into the shore, and stepping forth,
commenced his journey toward the
camp. He had however lost all knowl-
edge of its direction, and did not pass
within many miles of it.
1t is hardly necessary to follow all the
adventures of Ellis. The day after
leaving the log he spent in wandering
through the forest. He knew the direc-
ton of San Francisco, and kept toward
it. Several times he came upon wild
animal, and once had an encounter with
single savage, of whom ae had the
advantage. He lodged in tfees at night
and after three or four days he came up
on number of miners, and in about a
week after entered the streets of San
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