Iron County news. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1890-189?, 1891-02-14
A INDUSTRIOUS TOAD.
Unsuccessful Attempt OF n Swiss Omos'
to KIN II.

NJ. Charles Olfredus lieutenant in
the Swiss army, gives the following
account Of gigantic toad encountered
by MIN on the coast OF Italy:
After having seen Rome, Naples
and other principal cities of Italy. l
returned through Venice. i had just
left Aquapenddente, n town situated
upon an eminence. and passed down
the mountain afoot to go to an inn
that lies out Of the town. M. Bus
chins, the companion Of my journey.
was a good ways before me, / having
loitered by the way to examine some
peculiar plants indigenous to those
parts. had net penetrated far when
heard rustling In the thicket upon
which I had my eyes fixed. l looked
down and saw at my feet an enormous
toad, so prodigious that. without ex-
aggeration, 1t seemed TO be more than
a foot aud half across the back. The
ugly monster was so near me that 1t
touched my left foot. Seized with hor-
ror, quickly drew back my foot,
having only strength enough left to
run away rs fast as could. Recover
ing my wits when had reached safe
distance from the horrid creature l
stopped awhile and at last made up
my mind to return to the spot where l
had seen the horrible beast. Seeing it
in the same spot / came to the conclu-
sion that could easily dispatch it
with my sword. Uncertain, however,
what weapon should use in making
the attack, and judging that distance
would be more prudent than close
engagement, laid hold of large
stone which / could scarce lift with
both hands, and with my naked sword
under my arm presented myself be-
fore the animal. His mouth was wide
open. aud his little, black. wicked
looking eyes were sparkling. his whole
aspect betraying not the least sign OF
fear at sight OF danger; on the con-
trary, he appeared anxious for the
fray. Having raised the stone as high
as my strength would permit, meas
ured we'll its fall. covering the toad
entirely. crushing it, so | thought, in
to shapeless mass. Horrible beast
said to myself that is the last time
ever you will brighten a tired soldier
out OF his Wits aud. here shall he
your grave again said. as piled a
number Of smaller stones upon the
large one that had first crushed the
monster. had great desire to ex-
anime the thing more closely and. IL
possible, to dissect it, but had not the
courage to touch even the stones uu-
der which 1t lay buried. Standing.
gazing intently at the little rock mound
which had intended as tomb for
the unsightly creature. noticed that
the smaller stones had commenced TO
move. Soon the whole mound top
pied over and the beast walked out
alive. seemingly mono tho worse oil
for his late experience. Seeing that
the creature had neither wound on his
ugly skin nor broken bono in his body,
/ snatched my cloak and sword and
passed out Of the thicket, declaring
that would 70 longer make war
against such Il monster. Arriving. at
the inn called for glass of wine,
but no sooner had i drank it than |
felt feverish symptoms. which turned
iuto chill, lasting nearly two weeks"
During the fourteenth and fifteenth
centuries some of the Italian and east
German prisons were provided with
the monstrous poison toads of the
Mediterranean coast. In a very short
time the air became contaminated by
the eXhalations of the venomous Great
ures to such an extent as to cause tho
death Of many prisoners kept within
the buildings