The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-01-28
NARROW ESCAPES
By A TRAVELLER,

tendant With whom l had left Delhi
two being struck down with the cholera,
and the others running away with my
horses-thus leaving me afoot and alone
in region which had the reputation of
being infested with Thugs, robbers and
cutthroats. complained to the chief
magistrate of the place, and he promised,
OF course, that the rascals should be
caught and punished; but it is nv pri-
vate opinion that he was as great a
scoundral as any about him, and that he
connived at their escape, and got the
lions share of the spoils.
My money and some valuable Jewels
were secured about my person, and be-
ing armed with double-har1eiled rifle.
q brace of pistols, and large Spanish
dirk-knite, thought might venture to
lind my way, alone and without a guide.
to an English station about thirty miles
distant. -....
Without making my design known to
the darogah, I placed Ill my baggage
under his charge, telling him should
hold him responsible for any loss.
"And why not, your honor, watch it
yOurSelf!' he asked. ..-s. ...
"Becausc the thieves have proved too
many for me already" answered.
He inquired if were going to leave,
which way now intended to travel, if
he should procure me reliable guides and
escort, and SO forth and 50 on; but an
sWered evasively, determined to keep nv
design to myself till certain Of being
among men worthy or trust. Having, by
different INQUIRIES of different persons
learned the best route to the place I
wished to reach, slipped out of the
village after dark and went to neigh
boring forest, where climbed tree and
passed the night in it's branches. The
next morning, after slight repast on
such food and fruit as I had provided
tor the journey, l set forward through
the wood, following travelled path, and
guiding myself by small pocket COM
pass.
The route, lying through forest and
Jungle, up hill and down, was lonely and
dreary enough to make me more than
once wish for a companion. More than
once fancied I heard the growl OF some
wild beast, and stopped and stood on the
defensive; and several times the whir of
some large bird flying up near me, or
the sudden scream and rush of frighted
monkey. gave me start that was any,
thing but pleasant but with these exer-
lions, l got along very we'll till about
midday when, as was in the act of de-
scending into a dark, gloomy hollow
where the trees, vines, and luxurious veg
citation so 1nterfered as to make it mat
ter OF some risk and trouble to pick my
way through, was suddenly brought to
a stand by noise resembling scutie Ill
the path before me, accompanied by what
appeared to be human groans.
From where stopped could not see
the contending parties, though the sounds
told me they were quite near. There
were evidently not more than two of
of them, and thought it would be quite
safe for me to venture forward, especial
ly as was well armed. What could it
be2 Perhaps some Thug had failed upon
a traveller like myself, and was now
strangling him, according to the highest
code OF his religion. That the peculiar
sounds heard proceeded from any thing
but human strife and misery, ! had not
the remotest idea; and therefore nv sur
prise and aston1shment may be imagined
when on gliding through sort of vege-
table tunnel, l beheld, upon a more
lighter space, a large monkey IN the coils
OF venomous serpent.
l was just in time to witness, not the
struggle but the death of the poor quad
ruped. His last groan had passed his
lips; his eyes, half out of his head, were
already glazed; and with a single con-
vulsive culver through his crushed body,
his life went out at the moment my gaze
tell upon him. The snake, perhaps
hearing my approach, raised its huge,
mishapl en-, hooded head turned it's fiery
eyes full upon me, ran out it's red, torked
tongue, Kissed out malignant defiance,
and then, as if kno ing it's victim was
dead, and that it now had formidable
foe to contend with, uncoiled itself like
Tightening, and appeared standing up
straie ht before me, the most appalling
sight, all things considered, had ever
looked upon.
I had advanced with my rife upon my
shoulder, prepared for the necessity of a
quick shot; and now impulsively taking
hurried aim, l fired one barrel at the
broad, ugly head Of the monster. For
tunately hit HIM somewhere about the
neck, and he dropped, but threw him
self about with the widest contortions,
and in single moment was at my feet.
| jumped back with wild cry, and,
scarcely conscious Of what I was doing,
thrust down the muzzle of my piece fired
the other barrel just as he was in the act
of seizing it with venenemous snap,
blowing his head to atoms.
| was secretly returning heartfelt
thanks for nv deliverance, when I was
again startled by slight rustllng in the
bushes to the lett. and b. the time
could draw pistol, not knowing what
might next have to encounter, I found
myself confronted, not by beast but by
man. . .- :
"Ah! we'll met, fellow traveller" said
he, in very good English, as if he had de-
fined my nativity at glance. II heard
your two shots, and felt glad that l was
not alone in this wilderness. You have
had II narrow escape he added, looking
down at the dead snake.
He was fine looking fellow, being tall
straight and graceful, with black hair
and eyes, and dark, classic features. He
was lightly dressed after the fashion of
4,