Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-23

the quicker took the snake of the better. So
just grasped him as near the head as possible,
by taking hold where lie was around me-ior
he couldn't dodge that part yon know-and tried
To turn him off, But this only made il worse.
The fellow had now drawn himself up so high,
and stretched so, that he whipped another turn
about me- His tail was now around my left
thigh, and the rest of him turned twice around
my body--one Of them being just at the pit of
my stomach, and the other one above it. All
this had occupied just about one half minute
from tho time lie first got the turn around my
leg.
The snake now had his head RICH around in
front Of my face, and he tried to make his way
into my mouth. What his intention was, can
not surely tell, though have always believed
that he knew he could strangle me in that way.
| He struck me one blow in the mouth that hurt
me considerably and after that got him by
the neck, and there meant 10 hold hm-at
least, SO that he should not strike me again
But this time smother difficulty arose. The
moment grasped the snake by the neck, he
commenced to tighten his folds about my body
|, wasn't over few seconds before | discover
ed that he d soon squeeze the breath out OF me
in that way and | determined TO unwind him.
lie was in this way The turn around the thigh
was from lift to right-lhen up between the
legs 10 my right side, and around the back 10
my left side-and so on with the second turn
thus bringing his head up under my left arm.
| had the snake now with the left hand, and
my idea was to pass his head around my back
until | could reach ii with my right, and so UNI
wind him. l could press the fellows head
down under my arm, but to get it around so as
to reach it with my right hand, | could not -
tred-l put all my power INTO that one arm,
but could not do ii. | could get the head
just about under my armpit; but here my
strength was applied to disad antage. Until
this moment had not been really frightened.
had believed that ] could unwind the serpent
when tried ! never dreamed what power
they had. Why-only thiuk--as strong as
was then-and could not put that snakes head
around my back | tried it until | knew that
| could not do ii, and then | gave it up. My
next thought was Of my jack-kniie but the
lower coil Of the snake was directly over my
pocket, and could not get it.
l now, for the first time, called out for help.
yelled with all my might, and yet knew the
trial was next TO useless, for no one could easily
gain the place where was, except with boat.
Yet called out, hoping against hope. grasp
ed the snake by The body and pulled tried TO
break its neck. This plan presented itself with
CLEAN of promise; but it amounted 10 moth
ing. might as well have tried to break a
rope by bending forward or backward
full minute had now passed from the time
when first tried to pass the snake s head around
my back.
His body had become so elongated by his
gradual pressure around my body, that he had
room to carry his head around in free and
symmetrical curve. He had slipped from my
grasp and when next caught him, found that
was weaker than before / could not hold
him The excitement had prevented me from
noticing this until now. For few minutes ]
was in perfec, frenzy. had leaped up and
ed the snake with all my might. But it avail
weakened hand, and made blow at my face
striking me fairly upon the closed lips. This
made me mad, and gave the internal thing
I another grasp with both hands, trying once more
to twist his neck The only result was, that
| Sot ahothSi WV" uIoh 'HS hou"
{ But the moment Of need was at hand. | fel
. the coils growing tighter and tighter around
e my body, and my breath was getting weak
!. A severe pain was beginning TO result from lh(
S pressure, and ! saw that the snake would soon
i have length enough for another turn. lie wa
2 drawn so tightly, that the centre of his bod!
i was no bigger than his head The black ski
, was drawn TO a tension that seemed its utmost
n and yet | could tell by the working Of the larg
5 hard scales upon the belly that he was drawing
o himself tighter still
d "For Gods sake !" gaspcd, stricken wit
is absolute terror, "what shall do !" VIVA
could do! The enemy for whom had a
d first held SO little thought, was killing me-
g killing me slowly, openly, and had no help
IS |, stout, strong man, was being actually bel
ct at the deadly will of a black snake My breal
II was now short, faint, and quick, and kne'
y that was growing purple in the face M
le hands and arms we're swollen and my finger
re were numbed had let go Of the snake mech
I'd and he now carried the upper part of his bod
re in graceful curve, his head vibrating froI
I'd side to side with an unduaiing motion of ex
W IRENE eraceiulness.
~ AA' ie"SH StdSBctcu Wdo iouohS
TX strength rapidly, and the pain of my body Va
ne become exclucia,ng. The snakes skin wher
We it was coiled about Inc was so tight that
lg seemed almost transparent He had found INT
es or had found him, in a state of hunger, h
1t, stomach free from food, and his muscular fore
as unimpaired. A second time staggered, an
ne objects began to swim before me.
A dizzy sensation was in my head, fain
he ness at my heart, and pain the most agoni
of ing in my body The snake now had thr,
IN feet of body free. He had drawn himself ce
n ianly three feet longer than before. lie dart,
ny his head under my right arm, and brought ii
d. over my shoulder, and pressing his under ia
e, firmly down, tn ere, he gave sudden wind III
Oh made me groan with pain. Each moment W
TX an age of agony each second step nearer
death
las My knilel Oh if could but reach ii J.
IS. Why not Why pot tear it OUT My arr
out were free. Mercy why had not thought
my this before--when my hands had some strength
eg them! Yet would try it. Icollec,ed all I