The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-02-08
The Rattlesnake Saved His Life.

Game there was none. We could not
break camp now with our weak men
upon our hands, and it only remained
for some one to attempt the desperate
journey across the San Juan range, by
way of the Devils Pass, to Animas, and
return with food or rescuing party.
Failing of that, spring-time would find
our cabin inhabited by corpses.
We drew lots among ourselves, there
fore, we well men, to decide who should
undertake this perilous trip, and the risk
fell upon me. 1t was best, perhaps, that
it should have been so, for of all the party
1 best knew the trail. Without waste of
words or time, prepared myselffor tho
Journey, and thoroughly armed, early
one morning, before the pale moon had
fallen behind the western mountains,
bade good-by to my comrades and
started. Turni g my back upon the
camp, settled my course by star, and
at brisk pace steered southwark. All
day I continued on the trail, ever with
watchful eye for Indian signs-for l be-
lieved our old enemies still in the vicinity
but all day unmolested, and at last,
weary and worn, as the chill shadows
began to creep across the great white
plain behind me, I Saw looming up in
front the San Juan range, gashed with
narrow gorge-the DEVILS Pass. Once
through that horrible grave-for it was
little else-and the road to Animas would
be comparatively easy. My spirits rose
hopefully.
As darkness came fairly down, I found
myself just at the mouth of the canyon
which led up to the pass, and deeming
it most sheltered place for camping
spot. soon gathered heap of dead
limbs beneath an overhanging rock
where the snow had not yet come, built
roaring fire, which warmed and cheered
me, and prepared for the night. 1 felt
little fear, for the narrow, frowning
canyon would hide the light of my fire
from all the plain country. The only
disturbance which might look for would
be the bowling of the wolves, who
threatened. but dared not attack me,
and cared not for them.
With these comforting reflections,
therefore, T ate a hearty supper, drank a
| little melted snow-water. lit my pipe,
and rolling myself in my blanket,
crowded close TO the rock wall behind
me, now well warmed by my fire. And
so, in the Pickering light, protected on
all sides, gave myself unhesitatingly
up to slumber.
How long I slept cannot say. II
was deep in the night when woke with
a sudden chill It was as if some one
had touched me with cold and clammy
hand, but even before was well awake
my frontiersman's caution returned. and
1 opened my eyes slowly and didn'l
move.
/ The fire was all but out and the ghost
ly light from its dying embers touched
the snow and rocks and trees about witt
a strange color like thick blood. The
air was growing chill and still, too, ex
cept for the cry of a coyote far up the
canyon wall opposite, who whined an6
barked necessarily.
There was something almost oppres
: sive about the silence to me, when sud
denly, from Just beyond my shoulder
4 ing fire the sound of step startled me
and before I had time even to NOV,
there was bending over me hideous
painted face-the face of savage, ant
in his hand. already creeping toward m,
heart, was his heavy scalping knife!
To describe my sensations is impos
sible. Some terrible spell seemed tc
bind me- Not only was facing DANCE
which meant instant death, but l wa
unable to move, even in the attempt t.
save myself. 1t was as if l were fasci
mated.
1 tried to reason with myself. Thi
was but single enemy-if | shoult
spring upon him might Kill him and 81
be free; but although the reasoning wa
right, the action l was unable to brin,
about. and all the time the terrible knit
drew nearer. The redskin knew that
was awake, and that saw him, but h
gloated over my helplessness and de
layed his fatal blow.
At last, however, l saw the gleam G
his eye, the tightening of his muscles
and knew that in an instant more a
would be over, when sudden harsh
metallic rattle sounded, as if it were i
my very bosom. felt something Gid
from my side-a long, scaly. snaky bod
shot out to meet the dusky on-comin
arm. There was blow then a cry {
horror, and as the knife fell ringing
the earth rattlesnake crawled slowl
away, and the Uncompahgre, with hi
} now nerveless hand outstretched an
the blood dripping down from his parte
fingers, with a long, wild death shrie
turned and disappeared in the darkness
!, The rattler which my fire had draw
> from his winter quarters had saved m
life and the lives of my companions.
A week later, with a party of thirt
good fellows L recrossed the San Jua
! range and rescued my party from starv'
ton and the Indians; and it is becau:
of what that snake did for me in Devil
Pass nigh on twenty years ago. that
f let the critters live to-day.-A Miner
: Story u, Toledo Bee.