Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1868-08-29
Thrilling Adventure with a Rattle
snake,

Last Monday morning, Mr. Richard
Bennett, student, who is enjoying a
summer vacation at his fathers well-ap-
pointed mansion, short distance south
west at Dubuque, took a volume of Ten
nyson's poems in his hand, and wandered
out to repose beneath some rocks which
extended grateful shade, and also feast
his soul upon the poetical truths and
beauties breathed forth by the poet lau-
reate. He flung himself down upon the
grass, and was soon lost in contempla-
tion of kings and princes, shady grottoes
summer bowers and enchanted land,
until, overcome by themes presented and
the warm climate, he fell asleep.
How long he lay thus he knew not !;
it might have been for hours, but he was
suddenly awakened by peculiar rust
sing noise close behind him. Instinct
lively he turned his head to the point
whence the sound proceeded, when he
behebl a sight which froze him with hor-
ror, and which he, if an ordinary man,
will not be apt to forget until his dying
day. There, not four feet from him
coiled mp as if ready for spring, with
head erect, eyes darting fire, and tongue
plaping like the forked tightening from
the bosom of the clouds, was an enor-
nous rattlesnake, over eight feet long.
1t would be hard to describe the feelings
of Bennett at that moment. Fresh and
vigorous, in the springtime of life, the
world with its dazzling future before
him, hardly a stones throw from his
fathers house, death in all its most ter
rible form, had apparently come upon
him. His presence of mind, however,
did not desert him, and he lay perfectly
motionless, fixiLg his eyes upon those OF
his snakeship, and waiting for new de-
velopements.
This appeared to suit the fatter. Gra-
dually he relaxed his menacing attitude,
and lowering his head, began crawling
slowly towards Bennett, at the same
time emitting low,- murmering, sing
ing sound, which the impromptu hearer
describes as having been really delight
ful. Nearer and nearer came the snake,
Bennett remaining perfectly motionless,
not daring to move for fear of the ter
rible fangs, until finally the monster act
ually crawled over his legs and nestled
down by his side like a pet kitten, as
much as to say that he was pleased with
his new companion, and would forgo
hostilities. Here was q dilemma, and
how to get out of it was the difficulty.
While Bennett was speculating as to
how this could be doue, and revolving
over a thousand plans, neighbor hap
pened to pass along, who comprehended
the whole situation at glance, and at a
mute gesture from Bennett, rushed TO
the house for assistance.
He procured rifle, and, coming back,
put the muzzle within two feet of the
serpant's head, and, with a steady aim
pulled the trigger. There was deaf
ening report, and the next instant, the
snake was writhing in his death agony,
while Bennett bounded from the ground,
and exclaiming, "saved! saved!' fell
fainting in the arms of his preserver.
We are aware that there are few
features connected with this snake story
somewhat remarkable, but we received
the same from reliable authority, and
are not disposed to question its veracity.
The snake doubtless had its den in the
rocks near Bennett, and, seeing an ill.,
truder, resolved to cultivate closer ac-
qnaintance. The skin was taken from
the monster, and it is now hanging up
a trophy, where it can be witnessed by
all the curious But it is safe to say
that Bennett will read Tennyson beneath
the shadow of those rocks no more
Dubuque Times, July 81.