The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-28
A Lone Travellers Night Adventure
in the Thick Bushes of
Australia.
The Peril of Sleeping Where Dead
ly Reptiles are Thick and
Sold.
Sensation of Waking to Find q Poisonous
Spotted Snake Curled Upon Ones
Breast,

1t is 40 pleasant thing to be compelled to
deep out of doors in the Australian bush,
bat as night had overtaken US there was no
alternative but to lie down and wait pa
tiently for morning.
began to doze, but was awakened in an
instant by a rustling sound. This time it
WAS nearer than before. 80 I hurled a dry
stick in the direction of the sound. and the
reptile remained quiet for a moment and
then recommended its movements. I could
not keep quiet while threatened in suoh a
manner. LIGHTED a match and set fire to
a dry branch which l had provided before
dark to act as a torch. The rssinous wood
burned brightly, the flame attracted clouds
of mosquitoes which dashed into the fire
with q buzz, az though in search of fresh
blood, and fell victims to their own ra-
pacity.
With . revolver in one hand and a torch
in the other | started off in search for the
reptile that dared to disturb my medita-
tions. l looked under the busEes and in
the bushes, bat not the least sign of a snake
could l sec; and after a search which lasted
a quarter of an hour l put out my torch
and went back to my hard bed.
/ certainly had got rid of the reptile. I
lay down and listened for ten minutes: all
was quiet. There was no more ~rustling of
leaves and cracking Of dry branches. The
snake had left me for other quarters, as
supposed; SO sleep closed my eyelids, and l
dreamed of grotesque and horrible things.
and at last awakened with a start, and to
the fact that l was quite chilly. and TINT
on my heart, apparently curled up for
warmth an1 ncotiDI 40 napr %La Aaab na
possible, was a living thing-the snake that
had troubled mo before / fell asleep. l
did not dare to stir; for if l did, | feared
that ] should receive a deadly wound; and
if the customer on my breast was q
spotted syske, q speedy death was certain
even if the skin was but grazed. 1t might
be some other kind of snake, but it was no
likely 1T WAS a harmles one, for but few
reptiles that inhabit the dense woods oil
Australia are innocent of poison.
Although | was quite chilly when l awokt
yet no sooner did l feel the weight which
was pressing upon my breast than a profust
esq ration started from my skin, render
ing me weak and languid and almost in
capable of thought or reason. But by /,
strong mental effort | rallied my senses, fol
feared that should lose them unless
summoned all my fortitude and looked the
CANCER reaolutely in the face. Life was
sweet, hao 1 ala not care to lose mine just
at that time and under such horrifyins
circumstances.
l listened carefully and attentiyslv. Thu
reptile was sleeping or else Gu led up on tbs
-atch, prepared to strike at the first dem.
tnstration of hostilities. l made n frs,
venture as a test and TO sec what the result
would be. ! moved one arm in the dice
Ton Of the torch which l had used in thu
early portion OF the night. No corr espond.
ing movement on the part of the snake tool
place. This enboldened me to proceed ane
make another attempt. l thrust my rigL,