Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-12-19
n Thrilling Adventure.

A.'o hS&iSA IPAAASnOi0 SiliU, ICidls
the following story, which would
almost Incredible were 1t not from
perfectly trustworthy sources and we
authenticated in every particular
Recently in company with his father-ir
law. Mr.. James Crumbagh and neigf
Dor. Mr.. George Stickney. Mr.. Harlem
went on nutting and hunting expedl
tion TO Clifton, romantic and rock
spot near the headwaters of the Miami
At one point the rocks rise to heigh
OF 100 feet or more along the stream
and contain many assures and snal
caves. As the hunting party wer
winding arOnnd these rocks by anarroy
path, cne of them slipped, and, in fall
ing, his feet scraped the side OF tn
rock below the path until he finally go
a footing on ledge few feet below
He Immediately recovered himself, and
on looking at the place where he ha(
slid down the rock, he was surprised tC
see that his feet in slipping had lalC
bare hole in the side of the rock BY
brushing aside some underground that
had concealed it. He Immediately
called the others, and soon all wert
standing on the narrow ledge below the
path, looking at the opening in the
rocks. After the remaining under.
brush had been removed, the opening
was fOnnd to be about three by four
feet in size. A damp wind was blow
ing from the mouth of the opening,
with considerable draught. The party
made cursory examination, one by
one, with bit of lighted candle, which
showed nothing but narrow, tortuous
passage about twenty feet in length.
turning abruptly to the right. The
floor Was strewn with the bones of birds
and small animals.
Believing that it was only one of the
many caves with which the region
sbounds, the party, with the exception
Of Mr.. Harlem, who was much interest
ed in the cave, abandoned the exporta-
tion. They cautioned him to bo on his
guard againt concealed clefts, and told
him to fire his gun if he needed help.
Harlem, after lighting a candle and
getting his shotgun ready for action,
entered the opening on hands and knees.
The bottom'of the passage was dry, but
the air blowing through it was damp
and sickeniDg, causing the candle to
burn dim and blue. Cropping eau
tiOusly for about twenty feet the adven-
turer came to the turn which led into
a large chamber of the cave. Just as
he turned the corner he stumbled, and
in steadying himself put his hand on
the floor of the cave. where he was
shocked to feel something round and
smooth. Starting back with terror, he
raised the candle high above his head
and looked down. There lay the coils
of huge serpent. In his terror Mr..
Herlem let fall the candle, and remain
ed motionless with fear, on mis- knees.
As luck would have it, the candle did
not go out, but remained sticking in
the sand on the floor of the cave, and
throwing dim light over the scene.
Like a fash the hideous head of the
serpent darted up from the floor and
the coils began to move. Mr.. Harlem
said he could have fed had not some
thing seemed to chain him to the spot.
1t seemed as If enormous weights were
hung on every member of his body,
Absolutely prohibiting flight. The SER
pent's eyes appeared to give forth blue
phoSphorescent light, as they flashed In
he gloom. Slowly the creature began
70 move its head in circles. as if to pro-
luce the same effect as the mesmerist, |
Who puts his subject to sleep by passes
With his hands. Gradually the coils
grew nearer to their victim.
Mr.. Harlem says he knew all the |
line that the head was approaching by |
legrees, and that the circles were |
narrowing. He knew that |
le was experiencing what is called the
ascination Of serpents, but found it |
to break the spell. His |
nerves seemed completely powerless
md his pulse seemed to stop, and his
kin was moist with perspiration.
Nevertheless, his mind was reasonably
lear, an the events of his life ran in |
IuIck succession before his mental
Iision. With anguish he thought of |
he home which he had lett but a few
Iours before. The feeling of helpless
less eemed to increase. Suddenly he
hOught Of his gun. He dared not re-
move his eyes from the snake long
nough to look for the gun, which he
lad dropped on the floor in his excite
nent, because he felt that the moment |
e turned away from the creature it
would be upon him. lie groped on
he floor with his right hand, and at
ist found the gun and raised it to his
ide. The snake was too near for him
0 raise the gun to his shoulder, and
q simply held it at his side and reached
ick until he felt the tigger.
At the deafening report he fell back
and knew no more until |
e found his friends bathing his face in
inegar and water. 1t seems that his
as soon as they heard the
sport Of the gun, crawled into the
ave and found him lying unconscious.
'heif first thought was that be had shot
imself, but few drops Of water re-
ived him.
From the neighbors it was learned
nat travelling show which had had an
xnibitiOn near there some time ago
ad lost boa-constrictor, and it be-
eyed that this was the snake in the
ave. 1t was, Mr.. Harlem says, about
'urteen feet in length, and as thick as a
lan's thigh. Residents in the vicinity
omplain of having lost poultry and
lrkeys In mysterious manner. No
Irther trace OF the snake has been dis