The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-05-07
MUGGED BY A SNAKE.

was brought up near the Canada line in
Vermont whore my father owned large farm.
Not lar from his farm was quite lake, where
we used to enjoy ourselves at fishing and sailing.
une afternoon saw flock of black ducks fly
over the house, and was sure they lighted on
the lake; so l seized my double-barrelled gun
and ammunition, and started off. When l rea-
ched the landing, l saw the ducks away off by
the opposite shore. at once cut some green
bcughs with my knife; and havirg rugged up the
bows Of small fat t.bottomed scull we kept on
purpose for such work, jumped in, ard started
off. ] had got neal, enough for a shot, and had
tlrawn 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
slrive., j hit two Of them, but they didn't fall
into the water They huttered along until they
fell among the tall grass in the cove. The wa
ter was low, and the place was dry where they
were. pulled up as far as | could, and then
got out and walked up. | knew very near
where one Of the ducks had fallen, and very
soon had my eye on it. As ram to take it,
saw 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 a one
it was; OF, if had, probably should have done
just as did, for | had no idea of fearing such
thing--so | just run up and snatched the bird
away. had left my gun in the boat, and had
nothing to kill the chap with; but as | took the
bird 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 COM
fortably think. | thought I'd run back to my
boat and get my gun and try to kill this fellow;
and had just turned for that purpose, when /
felt something strike my leg as though some
body had thrown 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.
Idropped the duck and gave smart kick, but
that didn't loosen him; so | tried to put my
right foot on him and thus draw my left leg
away; but might as we'll have tried to put my
foot on streak Of lightning
had forgotten the proportionate size Of the
head Of this species of black snake. l had ex-
pected to see snake four or five feet long; but
; instead Of that he was nearly eight feet and 0
half Still hadn't any great fear, for suppo-
sed when come to put my hands on him, | cod
I easily take him off, for | was pretty strong in
the arms. In few seconds he had his body
oil clear, and it was then that the first rea
thrill shot through me. There he held himsel
BY the simple turn around my leg, and with his
back arched in and out he brought his head OF
. level with mine. Imade grab for him, bu
1issedhim; and then, as quick as you can snaI
your finger, he swept his head around under my
2 Sfm; clear round my body, and then straighten-
id upand looked mo in the face again. mad,
smother grab at him, and another, as quick as !
could, bat be lodged me in spite of all coult
do.
Ignext felt the snakes body working its wa,
DIP. The turn of the tail was changed to m,
thigh, and the coil around my stomach began to
tighten. About this time began to think ther,
might be some serious work, and the quicker
took tho snake off the better. So Just gfaspet
him as near the head as possible, by taking holt
where he was around me--for he could'n
dodge that part, you know-and tried to turn
b him cR But this only made II worse. The
fellow had now drawn himself up SO high, ant
stretched himself 80, that he whipped another
turn about ma. His tail was now around m,
thigh, and the rest Of him turned twice around
my body--one Of them just at the pit of m
stomach, and the other one above it. ALL th
y had occupied just abont half minute from til
timo he first got the turn around my leg.
eos His head was now right around in front {
my face, and he tried to make his way to m
\ MOUTH What his intention was ! cannot sure
ly tell, though | have always believed that b
knew he could strangls me in that way. II
struck mo one blow in the mouth that hurt m
considerably; and after that got him by th
neck, and there meant 10 hold him--at leas
50 that be should not strike me again. Th