The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-08-08
{ ThriIIinc Fncnnnfer.

The Mt Vernon (O.) Banner tells in this
wise of what beieI man in that vicinity
who recently intTuded himself at o private
snake fight;
Nr. william Bowersrrth. a farm hand, while
working IN q icld near where owl creek emp -
into the Nohican. met with an encounter Jew
days ago that seldom falls 20 the lot OF man NJ
BOvcrsnith had taken an axe IN his hand 70 re-
mir some fences bordering on the streams above
referred to. Passing over little bayou formed
nv the black water in the recent freshet and ever
which a large sycamore had fallen. he came 20
little unused piece Of ground. deeply snadeu oy
bnclSeves and the common Iarch. and grown over
by tail grass and fron-weeds. Mr.. b. repaired
some breaks in the fences and was turning 10 90
away when his attention was attracted by most
peculiar sounds. described something like the
Kissing Of geese. mingled with dull thuds. Hke
striking on an old boot. Mr. BoWersmlih tnIheu
his ewes in the direction Of the sounds and saw the
grass and weeds were in violent motion and ieVel-
ed to the earth, as though smitten with CLUB.
He approached the spot cautiously and by olimD-
ing upon a stump close by his eyes met signt
never to be forgotten. Almost beneath ms ieet-
locked in deadly conflict, lay two immense ser
pents, Kissing, writhing and twisting WINE Ihelr
crimson mouths exuded blood and fr)th. Iheir
eyes CLEANED like rockets and protruded from
their heads like beads, They would twine around
one another and lash the ground with their tails
would shake with the ferocity of bulldogs. IL
soon became apparent that one Of the serpents
was about exhausted and while making desper-
ate charge upon its opponent the other seized Il
near the under part Of the throat and settled down
several minutes At last everything became
quiet and Mr.. Bowersmlth crept from his position
victor. IL had scarcely reached the spot when,
with the pidity of lightning, the remaining ser
pent sprang upon him and in instant had SO
entwined itself about his person that resistance
was impossible and at each respiration the snake
drew his deadly coil closer and closer Mr.. b.
sank upon the ground. mis- face pierced in several
places by the sharp fangs of tie reptile. How
long he remained in this position he knows not,
and all probability would not have been alive
. today had not neighbor-WhO, with a common
grain sickle in his hand, and who desired TO see
Mr.. BOwersmith upon some unimpOrtant matter
followed him 10 the spot and found him as above
narrated. Il was the work Of a moment for the
neig ghbor to cut the body Of the serpent IN twain
with the sickle and release the unfortunate man,
who was restored to consciousness by the abundant
+ application of water and the imbibing of little
spirits, which the neighbOr had in his possession.
The serpents proved to be two large reptiles OF the
species known as the black snake. After straight
ening them out the smaller measured feet
four inches from Zip TO tip. and the other eight
feet two inches and was thought to be some three
inches in diameter. Er. BOwersmith has now
nearly recovered, although his face is still swollen
from the poisonous effects Of the serpent's iangs,
/ and the shock to his nervous system would have
proved fatal to a less robust man.