The Mineral argus., 1884-04-10
AM EscAPEp ANAcoNnA
An Ohio Mans Extraordinary Adventur.
in a Cave.

III - SRNGs
Last Fall, in company with his father
in-law, Mr.. JameI Orumbaugh and a
neighbor, Mr.. George Stickney, all
living lear Springfield, Ohio, M. Har-
lem went on a nutting and hunting ex-
position to Clifton, aromantic and rocky
spot neal the headwaters of the Miami
At n point the rocks rise to a height
of 100 feet or more along the stream
and contain many assures and small
caves. AS the hunting party were wind
ing around these rocks by a narrow
path, n ofthem slipped, and in falling.
his feet scraped the side of the rock
below the path until he finally
got a foothold on a ledge a few feet
below. He Immediately recovered him
self, and on looking at the place where
he had slid down the rock, he was sur
prised to see that his feet in s%lippinp
laid bare a hole in the side of the rock
10y brushing cside some underground
which had concealed it. He Immediately
called the others, and soon all wera
standing on the narrow ledge below the
path, looking at the rocks. After the
remaining underbrush had been re-
moved the opening was found to be
about three or four feet in size.
A damp wind was blowing from the
mouth of the opening with considerable
draught. The party made a cursory
examination, one by one, with a bit Of
lighted candle, which showed nothing
but a narrow 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 We only one of the many caves with
which the region abounds, the party,
with the exception of Mr.. Harlem, who
was much interested in the cave, sban-
doned the exploration. They caution
ed him to be on his guard against con-
cealed clefts, and told him to fire his
gun if he needed help. Harlem, after
lighting a candle and getting his shot
gun ready for action, entered the open
ing on hands and knees. The bottom
of the passage was dry, but the air blow
ing through it was damp and sickening,
causing the candle to burn dim and blue.
Cropping cautiously for about twenty
feet. the adventurer came to the turn
which led into a larger 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 a huge
serpent. In his terror Mr.. Harlem let
fall the candle and remained motionless
with fear on his knees. AS luck would
have it, the candle did not go out, but re-
manned sticking in the sand on the floor
| of the cave and throwing a 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 something seemed to char
him to the spot. 1t seemed as II
enormous weights we're hung on every
member of his body, absolutely pro-
hibiting fight. The serpent's eyes APP
peared TO give forth a blue phosphores-
cent light as they flashed in the gloom.
Slowly the creature began to move Its
head in circles, as if to produce the
same effect as the mesmerist, who puts
his subject to sleep by passes with his
hands. Gradually the coils drew e
er to their victim. MIR. Harlem says he
knew all the time that the head was APP
preaching by degrees, and that the
circles were gradually narrowing.
He knew that he was experience
ing what is called the fascination of SER
penis, but found it impossible to break
the spell. His nerves seemed complete
lv powerless, and his pulse seemed TO
stop, and his skin was moist with cold
perspiration. Nevertheless his mind
was reasonably clear, and the events OF
his life ran in quick succession before
his mental vision. With anguish he
thought of the home which he had left
but a few hours before. The feeling OF
helpIessness seemed to increase. Sud
denly he thought of his gun. He dared
not remove his eyes from the snake long
enough to look for the gun, which he
had dropped on the floor in his excite
ment, because he felt that the moment
he turned away from the creature 1t
would be upon him. He CROPPED on the
floor with his right hand, and at last
found the gun and raised it to his slde'
The snake was too near for him to raise
his gun to his shoulder, and he simply
held it at his side and reached back IN
til he felt the trigger. At the deafen-,
ing report he fell back unconscious, and
knew no more till he found his friends
bathing his face in vinegar and water
1t seems that his companions as
soon as they heard the report OF the