New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-07
TIE RATTLESYAKE S4VED HIS LIFE
A MIXERS Story in The Toledo Bee.

A Miners Story in The Toledo Bee.
Game there none. We could not break camp
now with our weak mon upon our hands, and il
only remained for someone to attempt tile desperate
Journey across the San Juan range. by way of the
DeviFs Pass, to Animas, and return " it'll food or a
reseulng party Failing of that, spring time would
fad our cabin inhabited by eorpSes.
We drew lots among ourselves, therefore v we'll
men, TO decide who should undertake this perilous
trip and the risk fell upon me. Ii was best per-
haps, that 1t should have been 80. for of all the
party | best knew the trail. Without waste of
words or time prepared myself for the journey.
and thoroughly armed, early orc morning, before
the pale moon had Isllen behind tho western
mountains. babe LoOG-by to my cOmraGes and
started. Turning my back upon the camp, settled
my course by u star, and at brisk pace steered
southwark. All day continued on the trail. ever
with watchiul eye for Indian sigDs-fOr be-
lieyed our old enemies still in the vicinity-but all
day unmolested and Mt last, weary aud v0rn, ~
the chill shadows began to creep across the great
white plain behind ME, saw looming up in front
the San Juan range. gashed with narrow Jorge
the Devils Pass. Once through that horrible grave
-IOr II was little elsc-and the road TO Animas
would lie comparatively easy. Ny splits rcsc
As darkness came fairly down, found myself
just at the mouth OF the canyon which led up 10
the pass and deemiDg it most sheltered place for
canning spot, | soon gathered heap or dead
limbs beneath an oreIbnnpng rock where the
snow had not yet come. built roaring fire, which
warmed and cheered me. and prepared for the night.
felt In tie fear, for the narrow. frowning canyon
walls would hide the tight of fire from all the
plain country. The only disturbance which
who threatened, but dared not attack ME; and I
cared not for them.
With these comforting reflections therefore, alto
hearty supper, drank little melted snow
water, lit my pipe, and rolling myself in my
blanket, crowded close 10 the rock wall behind me,
now we'll warmed by nv fire. And so, in the dick:
eriDg light, protected npon all sides gave MYSELF
unhesitatnglv up to slumber
How long slept | cannot say. II was deep in
as if someone had touched with cold aud
clammy hand, but even before | well awake
my 'front.'. rsman's caution returned. and opened
nv eyes slowly, and didn't move.
The lire was all but out and the ghostly light
from its dyiEg embers touched the snow and rocks
and trees about with q strange color like thick
blood The air was growing chill and still. too ex-
cept for the of q coyote faI up the canyon wall
opposite who wnined and banked necessarily.
aThero was something almost oppressive about
the silence TO me. when suddenly. from just beyond
my smouderlna ire tue sound OF step startled me,
and before had time even ~ move there was bend
inc over me hideous. painted face-tne face of q
savage and III his hand, ieady creeping toward
nv heart was his heavy scalp!ng knife
TO describe my sensations is impossible. Some
terrible spell seemed to bind me. Not only was
facinga danger which meant instant death, but
was unable TO move, even in the attempt to save
uiysef. Iu was as il were fascinated.
| tried to reason with myself. bis was but o
Gle enemy If should spring VI on him might
Kill him and 80 be free but although the reasoning
was all right the action | was unable to bring
about and all the time the terrible knife drew
nearer. The Iedskin knew that i Was awake, and
that saw him. but he gloated over my helpless
ness and DELAYED his fatal blow.
Al last no viewer, the gleam of his eve the
Tightening of his muscles and knew that
slant more all would be over, when sudden harsh,
metallic rattle sounded, rs II 10 were in my very
bosom. ! felt something glide from my side--a
long scaly, snaky body shot out to meet the dusky
ON coming arm There was blow, then o cry Of
horror aud, as tho knife tell ringing to the earth.
rattlesnake crawled slVwly away, and tho Uncom-
pahgre, with his now neryeess hand oOtstrstched
and the blood dripping slowly from bis parted fin
gers with long. Wild death shtiek turned ana dis
a appeared In the darkness. The RATHER which my
fire had drawn from bis winter quarters had saved
my life and the lives of my companions.
A week laIer. with party of thirty good fellows
| recrossed the San Juan range ana rescued my
marty from starvation and the Indians: and 10 Is
because OF what that snake did for me II Devips
Pass. nigh Oh twenty years ago. that let tho
critters live to-day.