Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1888-01-21
LAST AND GREATEsr.
The snake story season Close.
with the biggest Yarn ON Record,

In Central Dakota, on the "Mis-
souri, bottom" there exists one of ma
lures strangest freaks. The settlers
term 1t the pump snake" How it
came there or where it came from is
yet unknown. II first made its ap-
pearance in Emmons county in the
Spring of 1886. A full grown pump
snake measures about IS feet long
and three inches in diameter. They
are OF gsegarious habits, roaming the
prairies IN large herds, as many as 300
having been counted in single flock.
In dissecting one Of these reptiles
there is found a tube which extends
from the roof OF the jaw to the ex-
tremity of the tail and terminating in
an opening The tube is about two
inches in diameter and lined with
tough, yielding substance, similar to
rubber. The pump snake is easily
trained to answer to the call of man.
The inhabitants in this section trap
them in large numbers.
A farmer on Cat Tail Creek has a
flock OF 20 pump snakes trained to a
remarkable degree of proficiency. At
the blast OF whistle the snakes
assemble on the banks OF the creek.
The leader-there is always a leader
to herd OF these snakes, who is
elected by a two-thirds majority
dashes into the water Of the creek,
leaving only the extremity of its tail
on the bank. Another snake immedi-
ately grasps the end OF the leaders
tail in its jaws, third snake takes
hold Of the second snakes tail in
similar manner, and 50 on until there
is continuous line of snakes joined
end on. extended to the water troughs
in the cattle yards 300 feet away. The
leading snake commences to swallow
or pump the waters Of the creek,
which passes through the long line of
snakes as it would through hose and
falls in heavy stream into the
trough.
The agricuturist told OF an extraor-
dinary circumstance which occurred
a short time ago. While working in
the field near his home he observed
flames issuing from the roof Of his
barn. Wild with excitement he
hurried to the burning building, only
to see that il was hopeless task for
himself alone to attempt TO put out
the fire. In despair he gazed on the
work of destruction suddenly he
heard 2 loud rustling in the tall grass,
whence issued his herd of pump
snakes on the run. The leader
hurried himself into the creek, the
rest instantly adjusted themselves,
head and tails from the creek to the
burning building. The last snake,
standing on its head, waved its long
and flexible body from the tail end OF
which issued stream of water that
was thrown with terrific force on the
burning building. Back and forth
dashed the tail end of that living hose
squirting water where it would do the
most good, while the loud pumping OF
the leader could be heard above the
roar OF the conhagration. Within 10
minutes the last spark was out. Then,
and not until then, did the pump
snakes quit work. They were com
pletely exhausted, the leader having
tainted away. The main part OF the
building and its contents were saved
thanks TO the presence OF mind OF
these wonderful snakes.
The Territorial government is be-
coming awakened to the extreme use
fulness OF these interesting creatures
and laws are to be enacted to protect
the pump snake.-Chicago Inter
Ocean.