Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-02-15
IN A TIGHT Pl ACE.
The Fearful Experience of n. british Gel
erai iii an East India Pit-Trap.


does not give, tells the following story
of his experience in II pit-trap in an
: Indian jungle. in Tent Life in Tige
Land"
II was hurrying along a slight track.
when, bang. all ut once. down [ went
into the concealed pit. But now comes
the curious part of the affair. | went
plop straight down into Il deep dismal
mole. aud ut the bottom landed night
up to my waist in deposit of tenacious
clayey mud. Regular 'pank" it was.
In fact. when tried to struggle and
free myself. found | was held as firm
As If had been birdlimed | shuddered
as noted the dismal surroundings.
There were several great, gaunt-look-
ing. yellowlsh-g green frogs pecrug ut
me- with curious eyes, and then AS
turned my head around little made
a discovery that made my very heart
cease beating for Il minute. aud sent
every drop Of blood in my body bound
ing back III nv veins. There. right
on Il level with my face, its length half
concealed in II crevice in the crumb-
ling sides of the pit. its hood half ex-
panded. its forked tongue quivering
glitteriug with a balcful glare, | saw
a great cobra. felt utterly helpless
and despairing, and for moment my
heart whispered tn me that my end bad
come. Then came 4 sort of nervous
recklessness. | suppose it was 1.-The
fury of despair We read about. |
know | uttered savage curse, and
snatching my hard helmet | hit the
brute smashing blow in the face and
then began fight for life. Ii was a
big. powerful snake. The blow had
only maddened it. Its hood expanded.
its kissing filled the pit aud swaying
and rearing its clammy length it
launched full ut my face Nv gun
was lying choked up with dirt snd half
buried in the "pauk." but | had my
hunting-kuife with me. and while |
paTriea the fierce darts of the infuriated
brute with my helmet | made quick
stabs and siashes at il whenever
could get a chance. and after short.
exciting struggle it succumbed and
tried Ia withdraw behind the crevice,
but with slice of my knife | nearly
severed It's head from its body. And
then for awhiie-you may laugh at
me VI uHAs ~ tH Will WIS OiaHk.
| must have tainted.
..'rhe weary hours dragged along
II was intensely still and suitry above.
| conjecture,i. for even in the deep.
dark pit the air Vas stit'ing and OPP
pressivc. and could not detect a sound
or rustic in the vegetation that over
hung the mouth of my living tomb. |
ss,uld not see that the day was wan
r-- M ~aesL bad ot,o illss. il possibie.
sill more Sultry and intense, aud once
or twice had fancied heard low.
muttering. rumbiiu- sound as il Of dis
iant thunder. The clouds were hurry
ing up in tremendous solid MASSES, aud
soon big drop or two Of rain began
Ia come hustiIng through the over
hanging grass. aud another dread be-
gan to take possession Of my mind. |
knew what was coming. From hum
dred tiny crevlces and gaps in the edge
Of my pit the troubled turbld rain
water began 10 tricklc down. crulnb-
ling tn. clay away. and was soon
drcnched To the skin. and felt with
alarm the water beginning slowly but
surely 10 mount up the sides of the pit.
| thought then it was all up with me.
| can hardly describe to YOU my
thoughts. know thought of home.
| reviewed my past life | made
desperate struggles again and again to
free myself. | shouted aud screamed
for help. believe prayed and swore.
In fact. for the time. believe | must
have gone dement.d, but found mv.
self utterly powerleSs The mirv clay
aud treacheroas ''pank" held me firm.
and then again must have relapsed
into uncousciousness.
When came 10 myself it was near
" light; it was still raining heavily
and stoiidiy; the big drops FLASHED
down; | could see dull. leaden sky
above, and knew the "uulahs' and
watercourses would soon be full. The
battle of the elements had ceased. aud
but 1'r the continuous crash of falling
rain all was still The water in the
pit was nearly mp to my shoulders. |
felt was doomed to die. and n sort Of
sullen. despairing stupor took posses
sion of me. had now given up all
hope. when. hark. | thought heard
the sound of "A human voice! With all
the agony of despair raised cry for
help. There was an awful pause and
then heard my faithful Baeka CRYING
in response. Again ! cried out. and
soon saw his dear old wrnklrd face
peeriny down at me from the edge Of
the pit" We'll, how did
they manage I" get You on? ?" | asked.
''Oh, that was not So easy, but they
managed it. Some of them cut down
saplings and managed To make sort
of ladder and Backa came down with
4 long 'laihec' and lnosrnrd the .pank'
ronnd my body sufficiently for me to-
do the rest mvsclf. Then they tied
their 'pug"rre>' and 'kummcrbunds'
together and | knottcd these round
my waist and under my armpils and
with that help. they tu""iny away at
the free ends, | managed 10 Chamber