Year: 1862

The mighty AmazOn-the great equatorial
river Of South America-fows through an I'M
mense region of country,a great part OF which
is dense wilderness-a tangled labyrinth OF
vines and creepers, sweet Towering shrubs, aud
gigantic forest trees, the latter of which have
withstood the fierce tropical tornadoes for cen
turies. The hldeous wilderness is inhabited
by savage beasts and enormous boas, besides
myriads OF reptiles Of every imaginable species,
rendering it exceedingly dangerous for man TO
penetrate the solitudes of these dismal wilds.


A government expedition was dispatched to
the Amazon in the year 1858, under the COM
mand of Leuteuants Herndon and Gibbon, for
the purpose of giving ii thorough explora-
ton. They encountered many difficulties, and
had some remarkable and thrilling adventures,
some of which have never been related. The
following adventure by private in Lieuten
ant Gibbons company, named Crosby, is so
coupled with horror that the mind can scarcely
form just conception of the misery he was
compelled to endure one night, while separated
from his companions


Late in the afternoon of day in September,
Crosby accidentally got separated from his
companions, and before he was aware of his
situation, had penetrated some distance in
contrary direction into dense forest that lined
the banks of the mighty river. He found him
self alone, and every effort to extricate himself
from the tangled labyrinth proved fruitless.-
The solitudes of the wilderness were only ava
kened by the chirping of troops of monkeys
sporting among the branches, the believing Of
alligators, and the Kissing of enormous serpents
that crossed his path.


He soon became conscious of his alarming
situation, and redoubed his efforts 10 regain
the open ground and rejon his comrades. But
he seemed TO only penetrate the farther, and
the dread reality at once flashed upon his mind
that he was iost-and probably doomed man.
The idea of having to remain alone during the
night in this condition, surrounded by wild an-
imals and hideous serpents, was horrible, and
drove him almost to despair. But there SEEM
ed TO be no other alternatiye-night was rap
idly approaching was bewildered and lost
what could be do? Unfortunately, he had
left his rife in the boat, and the only weapon
of defence in his possession was large bowie
knife.


The shades of tropical night were fast set
ting around him. The sound of thunder was
distinctly heard in the distance, and it was evil
dent that storm was approaching. 1t soon
became intensely dark-sharp flashes of light
ming shot athwart the sky-the artillery OF
heaven commenced to play--the monkeys howl
ed, the cougar fercely roared in his den, the
algators beloved, and the slimy serpents
Kissed fearfully. Horror of horrors The
terrific gale came on-the vaulted dome of
heaven was brilliantly Illuminated by the vivid
lightning, while the roar of thunder, and the
crashing of huge trees, as they were torn up
by the fierce hurricane, was appalling in the
extreme, and calculated TO cause the stoutest
heart to quail with fear. But the hurricane
passed over him, and he escaped, only to en-
counter more terrific danger. 1t was now so
dark that he could scarcely perceive anything,
and as he was slowly cropping along, not know
ing what to do, huge boa darted out Of
tree overhead, and quickly encirced him in its
powerful folds. He felt each contraction of
the serpent to grow tighter, and he knew that
in few seconds his body would be crushed
into n shapeless mass But he was a man of
Herculean strength and firm resolve, and in
stantly grasping bis knife, he commenced cut
ting the folds of the hideous serpent, which
Kissed fearfuy in his face Every stroke sepa-
rated coil. At this juncture some wild AMI
mal-probably cougar-sprang upon him,
but luckily seized that portion of the serpent
containing the head, and bore it off instead of
our hero. What a deliverance was this


Crosby was so terribly excited that he
swooned away. and lay in a state of uncon-
sciousness, he knew not how long. As soon
as his consciousness was partially restored he
was aroused by peculiar sensation of indie
scribable horror, and found himself encircled
by number Of small snakes He sprang to



his feet, and with the ferocity of madman
commenced tearing off the Shiny reptiles that
had coiled around him. He threw them from
him right and left, and soon relieved himself of
such hideous companions They hissed and
writhed fearfuy but he escaped without being
bitten.


This was dreadful situation to be placed
IN, and his escape was truly miraculous He
was now so overcome by fear and excitement
that he was almost helpless and knew not what
he was doing. In the morning be was found
wandering about, by bis companions, who
were searching for him, wildly staring and fu-
riously throwing his arms in the air His ap-
pearance is represented to have been pitiful in
the extreme, and it was with some difficulty
rNs1~ 81.