The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-09-17
A n uxe Serpent.
tFrom the Dsseret xe-.l

On the 18th instant Mr.. Walker,
biz brother Sylvester, and tteir eous-
in Jim Coon we're telling timber for
Mr. Standish's mill, on the right band
fork Of Coon's cannon, about three
quarters of q mile from the point OF
the mountain west from this city, on
the high peak. south Of Black Rock
Between ten and eleven O'Clock in
the morning g deer ran by where
they were working, and our infor-
mant snatched up Sharp's rife and
started in pursuit. When be had
continued the chase for about a mile
due north he was startled by loud
shrill whistle and hiss, which he al
first thought might be q signal from
an Indian. He came to Q halt and
looked about him, and heard the
noise Of rocks rafting southeast Of
where he stood. He turned. when to
his horror he saw approaching him
at a very rapid rate a serpent which
he judged was about ten inches
through the body. The reptiles
head was raised fully six feet from the
ground, and his jaws wer open fifteen
or eighteen inches wide, with large
fangs growing from both lower and
upper jaws Walker was almost pet
riGed with fear, but the hope Of sav-
ing bis own life made him start TO
run The serpent however, was too
quick for him, and jumped ct and
knocked him down striking bin on the
left shoulder blade, going over him
and down the mountain 70 the south
west for q short distance, when he
turned aud pursued Walker, who had
risen and with speed inspired by
the deadliest fear was making his
way TO the top of the ridge. Unfor-
tunatelv for orr informant, he STUN
bled. and Immediately he felt the
weight of his monstrous pursuer
gliding over his body. He gave him
self up for lost then, but it seems
hard 10 tell which was the most
frightened, the man or the snake for,
the latter did not seem disposed to
run the risk OF q contest. but after
gliding across the body Of the pros
trate man he slid of at a tremendous
rate toward the ridge Of the noun
tain and across II 10 the east side.
Walker arose and watched his
movements, and saws that after
crossing 10 the east side the snake
turned and recrossed to the west side
and went down the mountain a few
yards and then twined himself around
mahogany tree, where be remained
waving his head to and fro, tapping
bis tail on the rocks, and whistling
and kissing defiance. That was the
last be saw Of him. for be made his
way back to his companions as quick
ly as he could They wanted to re-
turn and hunt for the serpent, but the
hero Of the adventure was too weak
from fright and excitement to do so.
but says they intend TO go on 81 ex-
pedition to hunt that snake in q very
short time
The color of the reptile was vel
low, with black mark on each side
of his eyes; be had q beard or
fuzz around his mouth, and what sp-
peared to our informant to be a crown
shape mass on the top of his head
The latter was about six inches high, I
and varied in color, being. blue, /
green, white yellow and red The
head Of the creature was about as
large as that of full grown bull dog, /
and in shape between that Of q bull I
dog and monbev. His BODY was
covered with hard scales, six or eight
inches long. Mr. Walker saws he
has been used to mountain life for
years, and never was afraid of any,
thing; but nothing could persuade /
him to go alone again into the right /
hand fork of Coon's Cannon.