Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-23
M | sc L L L A N Y.
HUGGED BY A EMIT.
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 rides 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 this lake-especially 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. ,hckly. 1t was sort of bay, max
ing up into cove on the opposite side from tine
farm. We had seen some large snakes in the
water there, and | had tried TO shoot them as
they swan with their heads up, though | new
or happened to get one Of them in that way
am sure hit some of them, but they managed
TO get away into the grass and had no de-
sire to follow them, especially into such place
-
water snake, but they were no, 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 a flock Of
black ducks fly over the house, and was sure
they lighted on the lake so ] seized my double
barreled gun and ammunition, and started off.
When l reached the landing, / saw the ducks
away off by the opposite shore. at once cut
some green boughs with my knife and having
rugged up the bows of a small atbOttomed 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
scull The boat without sitting up in sight, so
from where the ducks were my contrivance had
the appearance of only simple mass of boughs
floating along upon the water.
had got near enough for a shot, and had
drawn in the scull, and was in the act OF taking
MP my gun, when the ducks started up. A:
quickly as possible drew one hammer and le
drive. hit two of them, but they didn't fal
into the water. They futtered along until they
fell among the tall grass up in the cove. TIL,
water was low, and the place was dry wher,
they were. pulled up as far as | could, ant
got out and waded up. | knew very near wher
one Of the ducks had fallen, and very soon ha,
my eye on it. AS ran up 10 take it, ] saw
The head of black snake pop out and catch i
by the wing. | saw only the head and necl
Of the reptile, and had no idea how large on
it was; or, if i had, probably should hav
done just as did, for had no idea of fearin
such thing. So just runs up and snalche
the bird away. / had left my gun in the boa
and had nothing to kill the chap with A.; but a
took the duck, just put my foot upon til
thef's neck.
The ground was moist and Shiny, and tn
snake had his body braced among the roots
the stout reeds, he took his head out from NJ
der my foot about as quick as man could con
fortably think. thought Id run back 10 M
boat and get my gun, and try to kill this fe
low and had just turned for that purpose
when felt something strike my legs, as thong
somebody had thrown rope around it. lool
ed down, and found that the snake had taken
turn around my left leg with his tail, and WI
in the act of clearing his body from the gras
dropped the duck and gave smart kick, b
that didn't loosen him. so tried 10 put n
night foot upon him, and thus draw my left Il
away might as well have tried TO put IN
foot on streak of lightning
And hadn't | been deceived had forgo
ten the proporionate size of the head of III
species of black snake. had expected to 81
snake four or five feet long but instead
that, he was nearly eight feet and hall!
tell ye, looked ten ways for Sunday about III
time. Still, hadn't yet any great fear, for
supposed that when put my hands on him,
could easily take him off, for was pretty stro
IN the arms, In few seconds he had his bo
all CLEAR ana II was then that the first real thr
shot through me. There he held himself
the simple turn around my leg, and with
back arched in and out, he brought his he
just on level with mine, made grab
him, but missed him and then, as quick
you can snap your finger, he swep, his he
under my arm, clear around my body, and II
Strengthened up and looked me in the face aga
gave another grab at him-and another,
quick as | could, but he lodged me, in spite
all could do.