. Dick Boldhero : or, A tale of adventures in South America . — I was worn outboth in body and mind, and was contem-plating my release, if not with satisfaction,at least with some degree of composure,when a fearful spectacle arrested my at-tention. At the distance of about thirty feet layan object, which, at first, I had taken tobe the fallen branch of a tree. But its dull,earthy colors gradually changed to the mostbrilliant hues; its relaxed and flattened formbecame rigid, rounded, and curved. Itshead rose with a slow motion, and I couldnow perceive that it was an enormous ser-pent, gliding w
. Dick Boldhero : or, A tale of adventures in South America . — I was worn outboth in body and mind, and was contem-plating my release, if not with satisfaction,at least with some degree of composure,when a fearful spectacle arrested my at-tention. At the distance of about thirty feet layan object, which, at first, I had taken tobe the fallen branch of a tree. But its dull,earthy colors gradually changed to the mostbrilliant hues; its relaxed and flattened formbecame rigid, rounded, and curved. Itshead rose with a slow motion, and I couldnow perceive that it was an enormous ser-pent, gliding with a noiseless motion towardsme. Its eye was fixed upon me with aglassy and terrific stare; its jaws were ex-panded ; its tongue brandished, ready tostrike the fatal blow. I had suflicient rec-ollection to know that this must be ananaconda, and I expected the next instantto be crushed in its folds. The thoughtwas too horrible to be endured. I felt afaintness come over me, and, while a rush-ing sound filled my ears, my senses de-parted. 56 DICK CHAPTER VI. DELIVERANCE ARRIVAL AT A STRANGE PLACE SICKNESS KINDNESS AMONG STRANGERS ACCOUNT OF MAROONTOWN. The rushing sound that filled my ears,as I fainted and fell to the earth beforethe terrific image of the monster that threat-ened me with instant death, was occasionedby the discharge of a musket. How oftendoes it happen that Providence interposesto save us, when there appears to be no DICK BOLDHEIIO. 57 help at hand, and hope itself has departed!A negro hunter happened to be passing atthe precise moment that the serpent wasabout to rush upon me, and crush me inits folds. I was concealed from his viewby the bushes that intervened; but he sawthe threatening attitude of the reptile, andknew that it was about to strike upon someobject near at hand. The huntsman wason horseback; but the serpent was so in-tent upon its prey, that it allowed the manto approach within a few yards. He thenlevelled his gun, and the discharge ne
Size: 1761px × 1419px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, bookiddickboldheroorta00good
