Litchfield enquirer., 1857-05-14
Rugged by a Serpent.
Bv A CANADIAN SETTLER.

was brought up near the Canadian Line
in Vermont My father owned large farm,
though he was an iron worker by trade. /
think he made some Of the best rifles ever used.
Not far from his farm was quite q lake F.; We
used to enjoy ourelves at fishing and sailing /;
for we had one of thc best sa-boats ever put
into fresh water. We knew there were plenty
of snakes about the lake-especially one part
of it.-a wide piece of fats, where the water
lay most of the year, and where the tall grass
and reeds grew thickly. 1t was a sort OF bay
making up into cove on the opposite side from
the water there, and had tried to shoot them
as they swan with their heads up though l
never happened to get one Of them in that
way. am sure l hit some Of them, but they
managed to get away into the grass ; and l
had no desire to follow them, especially into
such place. Most of those that saw were
the common black water snake, but they were
not all alike. Some Of the largest ones had q
light coored ring around the neck aud was
told by those who knew, that these latter were
by far the strongest and most dangerous.
However, was destined soon to have my
eyes opened. One afternoon, saw flock OF
4 black ducks fly over the house, and was sure
they. lighted on the lake so seized my double
barrelled gun and ammunition, and started off
When / reached the landing, saw the ducks
away off by the opposite shore. at once cut
some green boughs with my knit. ; and having
rugged up the bows of small flat-bottomed
scull we Kept on purpose for such work, l
jumped in, and started off. There was a hole
in the stern through which we could put the
oar, and thus scull the boat without sitting up
in sight, SO from where the ducks were, my
continuance had only the appearance of a simple
mass Of boughs floating along upon the water.
had got near enough for shot, and had
drawn in the scull, and was in the act of Ia
king up my gun, when the ducks started up.
As quick as possible, drew one hammer, and
let drive hit two Of Them but they didn't
fall into the water They auttered along until
they fell among the tall grass in the cove. The
water was low, aud the place was dry where
they were. pulled up as far as could, and
then got out and waded up knew very near
where one Of the ducks had fallen, and very
soon had my eye on it. AS I ranup to take
it, Isaw the head Of black snake pop out
and catch it by the wing. saw only the head
and neck Of the reptile, and had no idea how
large one it was or, If had, probably
should have done inst as did, for had nc
idea Of fearing such thing. So I just runs
up and snatches the bird away. l had left my
gunin the boat, and had nothing to kiln the
chap with but as took the duck, just put
my foot upon the thiefs neck.
The ground was moist and Shiny, and as the
snake had his body braced among the roots o.
the stout reeds he took his head out from un
der my foot about as quick as man could
comfortably think. Thought I'd run back ia
my boat aud get my gun, and try to kill this
fellow and had just turned for that pur
pose, when felt something strike my leg, q.
though somebody had thrown rope around it
looked down, and found that the snake hae
taken Q turn around my left leg with bis tail
and was in the act Of clearing his body from
the grass. ]. dropped the duck and gave
smart kick, but that didn't loosen him SO
tried to pnt my right foot upon him. and thu
draw my left leg away but / might as wei
have tried TO put my foot on streak-of light
ming
And hadn't been deceived? I had for
gotten the proportionate size Of the head o