The Shasta courier., 1864-01-23

true aim, delivered terrible blow directly
upon t. reptiles neck. But even as he did
so, the further end Of the tree split, and sunk
with a harsh, scraping noise, about half way
down the side of the horrid well. where, rest
ing for moment, it fell with dull thump to
the bottom.
Jesse was n powerfully built man, and
when be saw his danger he had like light
ming managed to turn himself completely
round and clasp the trunk with both arms as
the tree fell-the roots OF which still held,
howeyer-the shock caused him to slip from
the upper to the under side, SO that he was
aow compelled to support his whole weight in
that perilous position. Neither could he move.
for should he ATTEMPT to recover himself he
would inevitably fall into the reeking, loath-
some mass beneath, where lie would have be
come the victim of those rattlesnakes which
had as vet escaped their doom. MANY of the
venemous reptiles would now and then strike
at Jesse, or else at his cap, that had dropped
from his head among them. Finding himself
fast giving out. he called out in a husky,
choking voice to one of his companions:
''Shoot me-shoot me, Bill, for heaven $
sake! You can't save me, and so don't let
me fall in alive'
The father. who till this moment seemed
rooted to the ground with his sons danger,
as ths tones OF the fearful entreaty fell upon
his ear. started, and turning to those around
him, inquired in cool, firm tone, 'havean
Of you any taongs?"
Here's some, cried several in breath.
Grasping them quickly he turned to Jesse,
exclaimng in an encouraging tone:
Hold ON little longer, lad, and I'll save
you"
Then. seizir a hatchet from one cf the
grou,, Job Socum FASTENED along the tree
to where his sons arms cutcAed the trunk.
Drawing his stout knife. he placed the point
in Il crack. and with a blow or so with the
hatchet, drove it up to the hlt in the wood.
Doubling one OF the thongs. he looped it
round the primitive staple, and whrlng the
two loose ends under Jesse's body. caught
them, and drawing the thong tightly up,
knotted it about the handle of the knife. =
Creeping further along, he secured. in sim
liar manner, the ancles of his son and then
facing about, took nold of his feet and held
them firmly, while the imperiled man ex-
erted his own strength to regain hi, former
position. 1t was exceedingly difficult to do
this, but he at last succeeded.
As soon the desired object was accom-
plished. job severed the thong which bound
his sons anklea, and then at an imminent
risk to himself. crept over his PROSTATE body,
cut the cord around his shoulders, and re.
gained the edge of the pit.
Carefully, very carefully did Jesse Slocum
follow his father. When he came within
reach, every hand was extended, and he was
almost lifted to a sure footing upon terra
tirma. An exultant shout ofjoy now rang
through the silent forest, at the almost mirac-
ulous escape. 1t was believed, after few
more rounds were fired that all the reptiles
were killed. As to the exact number de-
stroyed, the hunters could form no just es-
innate; but all agreed that there were at
least from four to six hundred. Doubtless
this secluded pit had been for years their
breeding place, as many of them we're of en-
ormous size.