Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-16
HUGGED BY A SERPENT.
BY 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 Lake
we used to enjoy ourselves at fishing and
sailing, for we had one Of the best sail-boats
ever put into fresh water We knew there
were plenty of snakes about the Lake-espe-
cally one part of it--a wide piece of flats,
where the water lay the most part Of the year,
and where the tall grass and reeds grew thick
ly. 1t was sort of bay, making up into the
cove on the opposite side from the farm. We
had seen some large snakes in the water, and
had tried to shoot them as they swan with
their heads up, though never happened to
get one in that way. ! am sure hit one Of
them, but they managed to get away into the
grass; and had no desire to follow them, es-
pecialy 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 light colored ring around their
neclxs; and | 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
black ducks fly over the house, and | was sure
they lighted on the lake; sol seized my double
barreled gun and ammunition, and started off,
When reached the landing, saw the ducks
away off by the opposite shore. ! at once cut
some green bougbs with my knife; and having
rigged up the bows of small flatbottomed
scull we kept on purpose for such work
jumped in and started off There was hole
in the stern through which we could put the
oar, and thus scul the boat without sitting up
in sight, so from where the ducks were, my
contrivancc had the appearance Of only sim
pie mass Of boughs floating along upon the
water.
l had got near enough for shot, and had
drawn in the scull, and was in the act of taking
up my gun, when the ducks started up.
As quickly 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 up in the
cove. The water was low, and the place was
dry where they were. Ipulled 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 ran up
to take it, | saw the head of black snake pop
out and clutch it by the wing saw only the
head and neck of the reptile, and had no idea
how large a one it was; or, if had, probably
should have done just as did, for / had no
idea of fearing such thing. So just runs up
and snatches the bird away. had left my
gun in the boat, and had nothing to kill the
chap with but as | took the duck, just put
my foot upon the thief's neck. The ground
was moist and Shiny, and as the snake had his
body braced among the roots, 1ie took his head
out from under my foot about as quick as a
man could comfortably think. thought
would run back to my boat and get my gun,
and try to kill this fellow; and | had just turn
ed for that purpose, when | felt something
strike my leg, as though somebody had thrown
a rope around it.
| looked down and found that the snake
had taken a turn around my left leg with his
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 put my right foot upon him, and thus
draw my left leg away; but might as well
have tried to put my foot on streak of light
ningl
And hadn't been deceived? had forgot
ten the proportionate size of the head of this
species of black snake. l had expected to see
a snake four or five feet long; but instead OF
that, he was nearly eight feet and a half
tell ye, looked ten ways for Sunday about
that time. Still, hadn't any great fear, for
supposed that when put my hands on him,
could easily take him off, for was pretty
strong in the arms In few seconds he had
his body all clear and it was then that the
first thrill shot through me. There he held
himself by the simple turn around my leg, and
with his back arched in and out, he brought
his head just on level with mine. | made a
grab for him, but missed him; and then as
quick as you can snap your finger, he swept
his head under my arm, clear around my body,
and then Strengthened up and looked me in
the face again. gave another grab at him,
and another, as quick as could, but he dodg.
ed me, in spite of all could do.
next felt the snakes body working its way
up The turn Of the tail was turned to my