Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-05-31
IN THE THROAT OF A BOA
BY COL. EDWARD II. TAYLOR.

BY COL. EDWARD II. TAYLOR.
II can never look upon ono of those
writhing, Shiny things without a shud
deE," -spid my friend, Colonel Paul
Bailantyne, as. we three (k,s pretty
South American wife was of the partyl
stood In front of the bon constructors
cage IN the scrpent-housc at the Phlla.
delphla Geological Garden.
Ballantyne--and she laid her hand
lovingly upon her husbands arm, and
looked up into his handsome face with 4
wealth OF love glowing in her lustrous
brown cyes-"if it had not been for the
serpent you would probably never have
met me. but perhaps you regret thatr'
she added, with n pretty pout.
an, that was the recompensew said
the Colonel, and he eyed her fondly.
But for that, think could never have
summoned up fortitudc enough to again
lock upon one of the monsters. As Il is
l cannot reprcss the shuddcr, and in
fancy feel myself again being sucked
down to death. - ~
"fou had an adventure. Colonel2n 7
yentured
"Advcnturc!" he echoed. sWcll.
should say so. The most horrible n man
ever experienced. But Won dine with MS
to-day, and then l'll tell you the story ;"
lie aid, and gave me permission to
PRINT 1t, which | have done without
material alteration, and with the sub
etltutlon OF fictitious names for the real
actors, who will doubtless read and re-
cogniZe this history.
Ihree years ago my friend was sen. to
Venezuela, rs the agent OF firm of ma
hogany importers, who had purchased
some valuable forestry concessions in
that country.
- Pne lumber tract lay along the banks
OF one of the 5ayous OF the Orinoco Xiv
er, about one hundred and fifty miles
above the Isle of Barima.
Inc Colonel examined the tract. SO.
iected site for logging camp. and
proceeding to La Guayra, purchased
supplies, and engaged native Vcnezue.
Ian, named Guzman Mendo a, to suner.
intend the logging.
Indian lahorers to fell the trees could
be engaged in any quantity in the vicin-
lty OF the mahogany forest.
Mendoza was slightly-built, surly
faced fellow, with an ungovernable tenn
per, to which he gave way at the slirht.
est provocatiou. He was ACCOMPANIED
by an Indian servant, named Jose. who
was much attached to his mastcr.
Colonel Ballantync had several wordv
quarreis with his forman, on the way up
the river, and he began TO regret having
engaged so uncompanionable an assist,
ant, but Mendoza thoroughly understood
us WORK, and soon convinced his en-
Pioyer that he WAS worth more than the
liberal salary that was paid him.
Inc camp was established, a corps OF
native aXe-men engaged, and prepare
tons were made to get together the
material for IL big mahogany raft. which
would DC foated down to the mouth of
the bayou, where the precious wood
would be loaded in vessels sent out by
the firm which employed the Colonel.
Accompanied by Lose, who was
familiar with woodcraft, the Colonel
made daily excursions into the forest
IN all directions, to locate and mark tho
trees.
The tract proved to be rich one.
mahogany trees were there by the thou
sand, and the forest was intersectel by
creeks in all directions, along which
timber might readily be tloated to tho
bayou, and thence to the river.
They had been in camp about week.
ana the work was progressing salts.
iactoriiy, when Mendoza, who had here.
tofore been kept to busy too quarrel, 90,
into dispute with his employer, and
had it not been for the interference Of
some of the Indian workmen, one would
have shot the other, for both men drew
. their pistols.
After they had both had time to COO
uo"h' the Colonel, who is naturally o.
The most forgiving disposition, apollo
glzed to his antagonist, and requested
that the matter he forgotten.
He held out his hand in token o
amlty, but Mendoza, with shrug of hi.
shoulders, and contortion of his darl
face, turned on his. heel and walked
away.
That night he and Jose held Ion,
&. conversation, which was carried on in
low tone of voice, but although the,
looked fire luently toward the Coione
and exchanged significant shrugs. he did
- not dream that they were plottipS
treaehery.
The next morning the Colonel and Jos
. Started, as usual, for short expeditio,
{. In the forest.
j, II was a feast day with the Indians
= ana they were making merry in tn
camp.
Jose carried small Ratchet for mark
ing the trees, and over his shoulder wa
slqng a.havcrsacki containing lunch.
,sr The Colonel walked in advance, armed
only with small rifle =
BY noon they were ten miles from tn
camp, and further down the. bayou tina,
theyhad ever beenibefore
When they stopped for luncheon nea
small spring, Jose informed his patro,
that they were only few miles distan
from the extensive coffee and ipdjg
plantation of General Antonio De silva
who controlled leagues of forest land i,
the vicinity, and from whom the Ameri