Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-10-10
Fighting a Serpent In a Shaft.

At this time of the year dangerous
reptiles are most frequently seen in New
Mexico, and are most aggressive. Last
Tuesday evening two prospectors came
into Socorro who relate strange expe-
rience they had with a rattlcsnake the
week before. The particulars are down.
right ''snaky," and but for the reputa-
ton these men bear for veracity we
would not publish them. In prospect.
ing about fifteen miles east Of La
Joya they found copper float, and
separated to trace il to the lead. One OF
them, Ed Bennett, on reaching small
hill discovered an old shaft. He fired o
shot to notify his partner, and began
explorations. The shaft looked to be
about forty feet deep, and about thirty
feet distant there was an incline connect
ing withfit. He prepared to descend by
this. when nearly at the bottom the
loose wash gave way and he was precip-
itated downward. He shouted out tc
his partner, and was preparing to look
around, when to his horror he discovered
that his descent had stirred up rattle.
snake. The blood-curdling warning
was rafting horribly in the silent hole,
prospcctor's forehead. The glistening
eyes of the reptile shone upon him in the
gloom, but he was too unused to the place
to distinguish further. He retreated to
n corner, and as the shaft was large
one-about eight feet square-he had
time to seize rock and prepare himself
The serpent followed, and springing at
him struck its fangs into the top of his
large prospecting boots, and coiled about
his legs. At this time he could see his sur.
roundings, and with desperation equal
to the occasion, and before the reptile
had time to withdraw its fangs, he
grasped its scaly neck and closed his
hand with vice-like grasp. Then
ensued contest between man and
reptile, desperation and fury.
The huge serpent alternately tight
ened its coil about its enemy's leg till
the blood ceased to circulate, and shook
itself in the vain endeavor to wriggle from
the iron grasp. Its horrid rattle
denoted its furious struggles. The pros
pector heard the Kisses, could see the
bright greenish eyes flashing fire, and
feel the wiggling of the scales as he
held the snake, but whether standing OF
thrown to the ground or lashed by the
tail of his aggressor, he held his grip.
He would occasionally yell in the hope
of reaching the ears of his partner.
For at least quarter of an hour the
struggle continued, the prospector the
while growing weaker, keeping the
fangs from his body, but feeling that
his enemy was slowly choking to death.
Its lashing became slow, IL writhed less,
and finally, after one last struggle was
dead.
The prospector continued his yells
until his partner came, being too weak
to rise. After some trouble he was
raised to the surface, still grasping the
serpent with his widely-distended mouth
and protruding fangs. II was a long
time before he could renew circulation
in his leg, and he is limping yet. The
snake measured twelve feet and had
eighteen rattles. The mine was chris.
tened the Serpent's Lair, not liar. All
this happened on May IL, at3p. m.-
Socorro IN. w. SIN.
Tho possibilities of spelling are
illustrated by professor in San Fran
cisco, who declares that "Ghoughphth.
eighttcau' is correct spelling Of
potato He proves IL thus: "Gh
stands for p, as you will find from the
last letters in hiccough. Ough stands
for as in dough Phth stands for ., M
in phthisis. Eigh stands fora, as IN
neighbor. TIE stands for {, as In
gazette: and oau stands for o, a. u
beau"