The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1882-08-15
r So John stripped off, with no cover

80 john stripped OH, with no cover
save bis linen, commonly called a
shirt, he resumed his work. lie WAS
just congratulating himself upon the
good time he was having, and the
lucky escape lie had made from meet
ing the girls, when he chancod 10 dis
turb huge black snake, agenuine
twistcr, with white ring around his
ueck.
John was no coward, but was NOR
tally afraid OF q snake. "Self.preser-
vation was the first "passsge" that
flashed through his mind and .'legs
take care Of the body" was the next.
Dropping his scythe and spinnihg
round like top, he was ready to
strike q 2 40 gait, when at that mo-
ment he was near enough for the
snake TO hook his crooked teeth into
Johns shirt, Just above the hem.
Win a tremendous spring, he started
of with the speed OF locomotive, Ills
| first jump took the snake clear from
the ground, aud as. John stole a liasty
glance over his shoulder, he was hor-
rifed to find the reptile securely fast
ened 10 the extremity of his garment I;
while the speed with which he
rushed forward kept the snake e1-
tended at an angle OF ninety degrees
with his body.
Here WAS qnandary. II he
stopped the snake would coil about
his body and squeeze him 10 death
II he continued the race he'd soon fall
from exhaustion. On he flew, scarce
daring to think how his dreadful
race would end. lnstinctively he
had taken the direction of home.
when affecting Of security came over
him. Suddenly flashed over his
mind the true state of aifalrs: his
iather gone, the quilting, and worst
OF all-tho girls. This new horror
sent the blood back curdling about
his neck, and he came TO dead halt.
The next moment he felt the body OF
the cold, clammy monster 10 contact
with his bare legs, his tail creeping
around in sort of oozing way, as
though bis suakeship only meditaied
u little fuu by way of tickling John
upoh the knee.
This was too much for human en-
,larance. With yell such as man
never utter save when in mortal ter
ror, poor John again set forward at
break meek pace, and once more had
The pleasure Of seeing the snake re-
sumo his horizontal position, some-
what after the fashion OF comet.
On he flew. lie forgot the quilt
ing, forgot the girls, forgot every.
thing but The snake.
Ills active exercise Che paid partic-
ulsr attention TO his runping), togelh-
OF with the excessive. heat, had
brought on the noseblecd, end As he
ran, cara erect and head thrown back,
his chin, throat aud shirt bosom were
stained with the flowing stream.
Ills frat wild shrek had started
tho quilters, and forth they rushed,
wondering If some MAD Indian was
not prowling about. By this time
John was .wIthin few rode OF the
barn, still running at the top OF his
speed. his head turned so that .he
could keep one eye on the snake. ard
with the other hcobserved what course
he must take. The friendly barn
conce Aled him from the sight OF the
girls. lie knew we'll that they were
IN the yard, having caught glimpse
Of them as they rushed from lhe
house. A few more bounds and he
would be In their midst. For mo.
ment modestY overcame fear, and he
once more halted. The snake evi-
| IDENTIFY pleased with his rapid trans
portation, manifested his gratitude by
attempting to enfold the legs OF our
hero within his embrace.
With an explosive "onch." aud
urged for ward by circumstances
over whicn he had no control" poor
John bounded on. The next mo.
ment he was in full view ofthe girls
aud ne be turned the corner OF the
barn, the snake came round with q
whiz something after the fashion OF
coachwhip.
Having reached the harn-yard, tf
his dismay he found the bars up but
time was too precious to be wasted IL
letting down bars. Gathering all hi
strength, he bounded into the air
snake di,so--and as he landed on th'
other side, his snakeship'siail cracked
, across the upper bar, enapping lik'
an Indian cracker.
II Again John sat forward, now utter