Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-09-05
Sclett Gale.
HUGGED BY A SERPENT.

in Vermont My father owned large farm,
though he was an iron worker by trade. l
think be made some Of the best rifles ever
used. Not far from his farm was quite lake.
We used to enjoy ourselves at fishing and
shooting, for we had one of the best sailboats
ever put into fresh water. We knew there
were plenty Of snakes about this lake, especi-
ally on one part of it-a wide piece OF flats,
where the water lay most of the year, and
where the tall grass and reeds grew thickly
1t was sort OF bay, making up into cove
on the opposite side from the farm. We had
seen some large snakes in the water there,
with their heads up though never happened
to get one Of them in that way. l am sure
bit some Of them, but they managed to get
away into the grass and had no desire to
follow them, especially into such place
NJ ost 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 round the neck 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, so i seized my
double barreled gun and AMMUNITION, and
started off. When reached the landing i
saw the ducks away of by the opposite shore.
| at once cut some green boughs with my
knife; and having rugged up the bows of a
small fiat bottomed scull wo kept on purpose
for such work, jumped in aud started of,
| There was 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 contrivance had the appear
ance only Of a simple mess OF boughs floating
along upon the water.
had got near enough for shot, and had
drawn in the scull, and was in the act o
taking up my gun, when the ducks started
up. A quick as possible / drew one ham
mer and let drive. | hit two of them, bu
they dids't fall into the water. They fiutter
ed along until they fell among the tall grass
up in the cove. The water was low, and thu
place was dry where they were pulled ~
MS far as | could, and got out and waded up
knew very near where one Of the ducks hat
fallen, and very soon had my eye on it. A
] ran up to take it l saw the head Of blacl
snake pop out and catch it by the wing.
saw only the head aud neck of the reptile
aud had no idea how large one it was or
if had, probably i should have done just u
did, for had no idea of fearing such
thing. / had left my gun in the boat, an
had nothing to kill tho chap with, but as
took the duck, l just put my foot upon tn
thef's neck.
The ground was moist and slimy, and tn
snake had his body braced among tho root
of the stout reeds; he took his head out froI
under my foot about as quick as a man coul
comfortably think. l thought I'd run bac
to my boat and get my gun, and try to ki
this fellow; and | had just turned for thu
purpose, when / felt something strike n
legs as though somebody had thrown a roI
+ around it. looked down and found that Il
snake had taken q turn round my leg wit
his TAIL and was in the act Of clearing b
body from the grass dropped the duck al
gave smart kick, but that didn't loose
him, so tried TO put my right foot upon hiI
and thus draw my leg away; might as we
have tried to put my foot upon streak
y, lightning.
u And hadn't been deceived had forge
! ten the propurtionate size OF the head OF Il
= species of the black snake. l had eXpect'
. to see q snake four or five feet long, b.
. instead of that he was nearly eight feet and
, half. Still, hadn't yet any great fear, FOL
supposed that when put my hands on hin
u could easily take him off, for ! was pret
strong in the arms. In few seconds he hi
us pOu( all CIcui, uuu ~ was thoh thue v
5, first real thrill shot through me- There
l. held himself by the simple turn around o
leg, and with his back arched in and out
II brought his head just on level with mil
| made grab for him, but missed him; a
then, as quick US you can snap your fng,
I. he swept his head under my arm, clear arou
n my body, and Strengthened up and looked |
S, in the face again. gave another grab
e. him, and another, as quick as could, but
De lodged me in spite of all could do.
4 felt the snakes body working its way U
st The turn of the tail was turned to my thil
and the coil around my stomach commenc
to tighten. About this time began to thi
- there might be some serious work, and
quicker took the snake off the better.
os | just grasped him as near the head as pos
-, ss BILE, by taking hold where he was around \
uo n and tried to turn him of. But this oil
m os made it worse. The fellow had now dra
,v himself up SO high, and stretched out So Il
=. he whipped another turn about me.
aJ tail was now around my left thigh, and
rest of him turned twice around my bod
ona of tlem hpinr lust at the pit of