Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-10
MAROONED,
THROUGH PERIL AND PRIvATION


the Gallipegos Island because he had the
courage to defy dishonest captain. Be-
fore they sailed away from New Orleans
they had taken as passengers travelling
Snowman and also boacoDstrictor in a
cage.
On the voyage the Snowman died, and
having taken fancy to the honest old sail
or, in bis last moments committed $4,000
to Dams charge, to hold in trust for his
daughter, living in San Francisco.
The captain of the ship had overhead this
transaction, and after the Snowman was
buried he insisted that Dan would divide
the money with him. The old sailors heart
revolted at the idea of robbing the orphan,
and for his refusal the captain cut him
adrift in an open boat near the islands.
Some days before the cage containing the
great serpent had been washed overheard
by the storm, for it had been lashed to the
bulwarks when the ship set sail
Dan, thoughtfully walking along the
beach, suddenly uttered a cry of surprise
and CONSERVATION, as he came upon the
serpent's cage, wedged in cleft between
two rocks near the shorel The side had
been broken, large hole stoven in the
middle, and through this the boa had
doubtless made its escape. and was now up.
on this little island-one so widely separa-
ted from the rest of the group that the young
man could not hope to reach safer shore
by swimming.
cay, ay, l must be on my guard
thought Dan. "The serpent, halfssfamish-
ed by this time, will be sure to attack me
if it be here, which I doubt not"
In fact, he had hardly spoken when he
heard loud rusting and caught sight OF
the huge, shiny coils Of the boa in clump
of shrubbery on his right.
Dan looked toward the summit Of the
rocky height in the centre of the island,
which contained volcano. The crater was
vomiting fame and smoke, and having
heard that all animals were afraid of fire,
the young sailor resolved to get as near it
as possible, thinking that he might there
find safe quarters.
s'The Snowman intrusted this TO me-" be
muttered, tapping the belt about his waist,
Sand may heaven grant that may esc.rs
that serpent aud live to fulfil my promise
of giving the money to his daughter"
| Hoping the boa had not yet seen him, he
hurried to the height, and having mounted
to the edge Of the crater, at point, how
ever, some yards to the right of the rush
ing flames, he sat down.
The width OF the opening was about
| twenty feet. As Dan looked across it he
was startled by a loud Kissing noise, aud to
his horror and dismay, hs beheld the huge
coils of the serpent rise from a mass OF
rocks on the other side Of the chasm.
The ugly orbs of the monster, cleaning
| like sapphire in the light of the volcanic
fire, were turned upon him, and its mouth
was open, revealing its elastic throat, capa-
BILE of swallowing even large quadruped.
1t coiled itself in a ring and elevated its
head, evidently preparing to spring across
the opening at its intended victim.
In this position it presented a horrible
spectacle, with its shiny black and yellow
spots upon its back, and torn weeds, with
sand, pieces of shell and rock sticking to
the body.
For moment Dan had not the power to
move muscle, but quickly recovering
of the boa with his loaded gun, resolved
that his last and only shot should be true.
AS the lengthy'coils OF the creature dart
ed like lightning fash toward him the re-
port of his piece rang out sharply on the
air.
The bullet struck the monster in one eye,
and passed crosswise through its skull. For
few seconds the elevated head wildly os-
oillated; then, with weird, Kissing sound,
the creature, writhing and twisting, fell
slanting into the yawning ohasm.
Peering into the opening, Dan now be-
held frightful spectacle. About ten feet
below the edge the sepent had caught itself
by protruding point of rock, round which
it had coiled the lower part of its body.
And there it hung, squirming frantically,
thrashing the sides of the chasm in agony,
as it was exposed to the heat of the billows
of flame only few feet distant. Its hor-
rid Kissing mingled with the roar Of the
fire, until at last scorohed and blackened, it
released its hold and fell into the very
heart Of the burning gulf,
Thankful for his escape, Dan descended
the height. On the very next day he saw
and signalled craft which was bound to
Callao. He was taken aboard; in due time
he reached port, and thence he took pas
sage for San Francisco.
On arriving there he lost.no time in
seeking the showman's daughter. What
was his surprise, on finding her, to discover
that she was the beautiful girl, the same
person whom he had 80 often admired at a
distance on the wharf.
He gave her the money and endeavored
to console her, in his rough way, for the
death of her father.
w hCA Aio OCCSIlbO0 buO AAOandCoo Va khO
captain, how he had been put ashore, had
escaped from the serpent, &c., Louisa list
ened to him with much interest, and warm
ly expressed her gratitude for the pains he
had taken to bring her the money intrusted
to his care.
Dan, when he took leave, was asked to
call again, and he accepted the invitation.
He called often, and finally asked Louisa
to be his wife.
The two were married, but honest Dan
would never touch cent of his wife's
money-not even when she offered it to
him to help purchase vessel he coveted.
In time he was able to buy the craft
with cash of his own, and from that mo-
ment, as he was steady, energetic young
man, his business prospered so that he
soon enjoyed comfortable fortune.
The American system of checking bag
paQe is admitted Tn he eyoelIsut No1