The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-11-25
IN SURE DEATH HOLLOW.
government Clerks Experience In th
Virginia Mountains,

Virginia Mountains.
Stories and Incidents of mountain ex-
periences come so frequently from the
west that most people, and especiallv
the average readers, forget that the
east has some mountains with as dan
gerous passes and scenes OF as thrilling
experiences as the great Rocky noun
tains. The Blue Ridge mountains OF
virginia have somo almost impassable
places. The mountain caves are the
homes OF animals common TO such To-
calities, and in reptiles they are, to say
the least, ''rich." The rayines and
precipices are something awful to be.
hold.
In that part OF the valley from Berry
vile tnear the famous Lnray cavernsl
down to Winchester may be found some
fine hunting and fishing resorts, vet
they are surrounded by impregnable
passes, ravines, precipices and other
dangerous places, which, II not known
to the hunter and fisherman, may cost
him dear.
A lack of knowledge OF this region
was the result Of terrible ex perience
to a certain well-known and popular
clerk in one Of the large government
departments at Washington. Being In
this vicinity during his annual yaca-
ton several years ago, the gentleman
started out one fine morning in Sep
tember with rifle and fishing rod.
mounted on a sure-tooted beast--one
that was thoroughly used to the rough
and rocky mountain paths.
Having reached place on one OF the
mountain streams that he had visited
before, he whiled away some little time
angling, but soon tired OF this sport
and started out for larger game, in the
meantime turning his horse to Craze
In n meadow-like place near at hand.
thinking surely he would return before
dark.
Time passed quickly, and before he
was aware of IL darkness was upon him
and he had wandered some distance.
His first thought was TO the direction
to take to get TO his horse and return
to his hotel, located near Berryville.
But he was about In the fix a mariner
would be on the high seas without a
compass.
The night grew darker and darker
and he wandered aimlessly on, hoping
and trusting he might be on the right
path But fate was against him.
Suddenly a terrible sight met his
eyes and an awful combination of hiss
ing, bowling and shrieking fell upon
his ears At turn in the narrow path
he looked over the precipice into
veritable ditch and all he could see
was what to him looked like thousands
OF green eyes. And he was making
preparations to move on as rapidly as
possible when he remembered that he
had lost his way and was liable to
step into this pit at any moment
What could he do? Below him were
thousands of savage beasts and venom
GUS reptiles, any one of which could
have mastered him in his then ex-
hausted condition.
Finally the distracted and uncon-
scious hunter knew nothing more OF
his horrible surroundings, having
tainted from fright.
Not returning to his lodge that night,
some OF the older residents of the vi
cinity started out to search for him.
All day long they hunted the caves and
other retreats for hunters in that re-
gion, and 1t was not until near dusk that
one section of the party came upon
what they thought was the corpse Of
the wanderer.
Calling in the rest OF the party with
their horns, they applied stimulants
and brought him to consciousness.
Asked about his horse he was unable
to speak, being absolutely paralyzed
from fright. He was carried to vehi-
Gle left at the nearest point to the point
traversable by wagon Of any sort, and
Ia ken to his lodge where physician
was summoned but 1t was several days
before he could speak word, and the
only way he could express himself was
by the word lawful" oft repe ated in
his then semi-deiirious condition.
His faithful horse was found where
left and was evidently more of a mou n
taineer than his rider.
The pit of wild beasts and reptiles,
which had frightened almost to death
the subject of this sketch was known
TO the older settlers as ''Sure Death
Hollow" and rightly named it was,
too; for in that den was to be found
every species Of snake known in the
section and also savage animals, any
one of which would have been more
than match for single human being,
unless he was q sure shot and man Of
nnheard Of nerve.
AS to the victim of this terrible night,
he was months recovering from the
prostration, and was granted an extra
leave of absence by his department in
order that he might journey to the sea-
shore, where hunters are not seen. IL
is useless to say that he has never since
taken mountain trip alone or with
anyone else. e.-st. Louis Republic.