Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-03-13

took notion thas we snoutu 20 away
from there by the overland route, and
so we went down TO Fort Scott and
Joined caravan that was bound for
New Mexico across the Staked Plains"
"A caravan across the Staked Plains
from Fors Scott last springs" the barr
tender remarked with some emphasis.
YES" said Mcdonald, as though ir-
ritated. "we had followed the process
sion about two weeks, when one even-
ing we camped on one Of the north
erly branches Of the Red River OF the
south in bi, OF timber Without watt
ing minute Heme drew h-h line aud
pole from It's hooks under the canvas or
our prairie schooner and started down
the creek for u mess Of fish. Somehow
he didn't seem to have his usual
luck. The sun was just sinking, and
Heme walked on from pool to pool, now
and then dropping his line In without
success Till he was halt mile down
stream. There, In an open space where
the grass was short but the woods thick,
he found big dead tree that had fallen
into the creek aud washed around with
top down stream. Just below this the
water was deep aud still, and as his
hook sank into the water he felt the
drst blood-stirring tug Of the evening.
Ii was catfish. Not very exciting
sport you will say, to catch bull-head,
but the eating of them Is never 10 be
despised.
For fifteen minutes Heme was so busy
that he did not notice the iight OF time,
but just as lac felt tug OF his line for
the eighth time, he became aware that
something was about to happen that hc
had not anticipated. He said afterward
that he felt just rs n man does who
wakes up at midnight to hnd himself
bolt upright In bed, hearing nothing,
aud wondering what was the matter.
The feeling was 80 strong that iustead
Of landing the f,h he looked slowly
around. Not five feet away To HE left
was big panther, arching it, back aud
rubbing the sides of It's head along the
grass aud smiling at him, almost, NJ II
lashed its tail from eide 10 side. Ii WAS
playing with him cat fashion. Mean
time the catfish had swallow ed The hook
aud was tugging away 50 hard that, In
spite of his scare, which made his broad
brimmed hat tremble, he turned TO look
ut the line aud the bobbing cork wsicb
he always fshed with. From the agi-
tated water about the cork his eye fell
on n six-ioot rattler that was making its
way over the edge -et the bank Of the
creek from the Old dead log, aud was
headed directly for him. From the
snake he looked TO the cavortiDg pam
ther, aud then back 10 the ugly reptile,
afraid to strike with his pole lest the
panther should spring on him, aud
afraid to stand still lest the snake should
attack him as soob a. II was near enough.
( Somehow the movements Of the panther,
~ il troited about, rolled over, or jump
eel stifi-legg,d into the air. proved =
! stronger attraction, aud for miDute he
watched IL alteuiively, until the nsh
gave last cfOrt to free Itself from the
hook. The panther was walking away
/ as if 10 leave it, victim In peace, when
I "A "A
snake was passing him, headed for the
/ timber Then the inspiration came
which saved bis lite. lie had the pole
ia his left hand. STOPPING over he
caught the reptile By the tail. Quick
as this was done the panther saw the
motion, and turning about settled for q
spring AS Heme whirled the snake easily
| but rapidly over his head. The panther
! was too late. HeDie's skill With the
whip enabled him 10 drop the rattlcr
comfortably about The panther's neck,
/ aud the next Instant IL buried its fnngs
In the beasts tongue tbat showed
through its half open mouth.
"Then Heme got really frightened, |,
! aud, with n yell, plunged into thu
creek, aud noun1ering across. ran
breatblessly up stream 10 the csmps
When lie had managed 20 gasp on. his
story, the wbo'e camp roa.ed with
laughter at the cop;fcal figure aud What
seemed To BE- about the most unlikely
yarn they had ever hear Is
"See here, Mack; who primed you TO
tell that 2" said the bar-lender, wipinE
bis hands on lis paruy white apron.
"Primed !" said the story teller. "Its
true. I've got The snakes rattle, and
I'll show it to you"
He took a solid Hooking vslise from
behind the bar, and while fumblIng for
his key said. at took us about ten mins
utes 10 reach the spot where Beme had
been fishing. The panther was on iis last
pegs. The snake Was In Two pieces, the
panther hayipg chawed lie bead off af-
ter he was birlen. cut the rattle on,
and here IL is"
There we're twelve Of the rattles, be-
sides the button on the end. The snake
was IS years Of age. The bartender
walked behind the bar and passed down
cut-glass bottle, containing q yellow
i.h huid. As be placed number Of lit
tie smooth round tumbiers beside if, to
said: "Help yourselves, boys. give
it up. The rattIcs prove it-"-Nes
York Sun.
a Boy Grsce.