The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-01-14

s''''o"' and started off aeefhem.
.'l'' approached within sb6ofg distar
M :auekS 9, arose. and I fred, Baginy two
Z" ~ tall grass neart lsjcovc. A
,s.SSap the duck, ] syw the hea
". .9Eqop out ana: catch it
">>aw the head and
the reptile, afaI mo idea how
was; aud if i, probably shoul
done just as for had no fear
a creature, list ran up and sn
the bird awal had left my gun
boat, and ha1 hing to kill the cl,ar
but as took duck, I put my n
the thieTs nd
The groun6 moist and slimy,;
+he snake lid body braced amo
roots of the reeds, he took his
out from undy foot about as qu
I Il man could prtably think. til
I'd run backle boat and get my
and try to kis felow I felt some
strike my though some one
thrown rol Ruld it. l looked
and found Il snake had takens
around my with his TAIL ant
in the act 9ling his body fr0i
N,,ss. dropped the duck, and q
n,,,trk; but it didn't loosen him;
Dx;sa put my right foot on him and
/ ar,wy leg away; but might as
,,ox led to put my foot on strea
hen'g ,.., -, H..
\ ,ad Of this species Of black snake. had
ted to see snake four or five feet
,, but instead of that, he was nearly 8
a half feet! Still hadn't any great
pa, for 1 supposed when should come to
Hut my hand on him, could easily take
him off, for was pretty strong in the arms.
In a few seconds he had his body all clear,
and it was then that the first real thrill shot
through me. There he held himself by the
simple turn around my leg, and. with his,
back archel in and out, he brought his
head OH a level with mine. I made grab
for him, but missed him; and then as
quick as you can snap your finger, he swept
HE head around under my arm, clear around
my body, and then looked me in the face
again, made another grab at him, and
anotper as quick as could ; but lie lodged
ME in spite of all that could do.
I ext felt the snakes body working its
waysap. The turn of the tail around my
leg Was changed to my thigh, and tho coil
arounl my stomach began to tighten
Ahou this time began to think that there
might be some serious work, and that the
sooner | could take off the snake, the bet
ter. So just grasped him as near the
head as possible, by taking hold where he
was around me-for he couldn't dodge that
part, you know-and tried TO turn him off.
But this only made him worse. The fel.
]oJ had now drawn himself so that he
whipped anothefE turn around me- His
tail was under my' left thigh, and the r CT
Of him twice around my body-one of tie
coils being just at the pit Of my stomach,
and the other just above it. All this had
occupied just about half a minute from the
time he first got the turn around myleg.
His head was now right around in front
my face, and lie tried to. make his way
my mouth! What his Intention was I
nuot surely tell, thought have always
.Iievcd that he thought he could sstrangle
10 in that way. He struck me one blow
in the mouth. that; hurt me considerably !;
and after that I'got him.by the neck, and
here meant to hold him-at least so he
hould not strike he again. The moment
graspcd him by the neek, he commenced
tighten his folds about my body Il soon
covered he'd soon gsaueeze the breath
of me in That way,and determined
unwind him. ~
pow tried to unwind ztbes reptile; !; but
all my strength itiwassin vain. 5$
'dI this movement I had not really
f!igniiiened. Ishad believed I could
ii tue serpent when I should :trry:. I
Adreamed what power he had: I
,d until 1 knew IssoaA mot dot, and
IN 1gave it up. asxt thought: gha:s;y vas 5a
smAack knife ;gbutstS stSe lSWer coilof tie
AXE aas directly overs pocket and Z
'uld pt get it. In6N e The first time
ried o. for help. yelled ~ With y all my
aight;.nd knew the trial next TO USE
ess, f0lS9pe eeul!seasiIy gain. the plass
where Iss except oM Yeti
called ouhoping aga n IN eEsspsa
snaksy the bod AHd llsd (; !
aoreak lneck. This plan resented a
Team ofbmise, but amounted to moth;
'g' mighas we'll have tried to break i
'pe by being it backward: aud forward
a ful' miate had now passed the