Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-07-18
dicular surface. On the fourth he construc-
ted in few hours strong wall of rock and

dicular surface. On the fourth he construc-
ted in few hours strong wall of rock and
adobe.
Obtaining the assistance of three Indians,
he next conveyed the snake to his new quar-
ters, leaving the old blankets for a soft nest.
A spring of water bubbled up from among
the rocks, and catching a number of cotton
tails and jack-rabbits he set them loose in
the enclosure. Every day he would visit the
place and see how his charge was getting
along, and soon he and the snake became
we'll acquainted.
Among other accomplishments, Mr. Lamb
is fine performer on the accordion, and,
knowing the passion Of the serpent family
for soft music of any nature, he used to
spend many of his evenings sitting on the
edge of the canon filling the surrounding
81 Believe It, for My Mother Told Me So"
The scaly monster, Its head reared above the
ground and a look of unmistakable pleasure
in Its glittering eye, would indulge in q
gentle Kissing, meanwhile swaying to and fro
in time with the music.
The fame OF MIR. Lambs huge pet soon
spread throughout the adjacent country, and
the Indians Of the neighboring village began
focking to his place in squads, and on
than they had brought with them. AS they
were all armed with long knives and car
ried revolyers in their belts, Mr.. Lamb felt
constrained to treat them with respect and
not hurt their feelings by any allusion to his
losses.
He therefore stood it as long as he could,
for, in addition to being a mild-mannered
person, he had considerable pride in his
captive, and he knew his possession of such
q hio oLo with which ba wos m farms of
the closest intimacy elevated him greatly in
the eyes of the natives, who looked upon
him as the largest kind Of a medicine man.
But their constant visits to his place were
slowly reducing him to beggary, as they gen.
orally brought their keen appetites. with
them and very little provender. He began
to think he would be obliged to let the snake
loose again or kill 1.-THE last alternative he
could not bring his mind to consent to
when an Englishman with passion for gun
ming and tramping over wild country put in
an appearance and accepted Mr.. Lambs
hospitable invitation to spend the night.
It happened that the visitor was great
lover of Scotch whiskey, always keeping a
large supply in his luggage. He had been
indulging pretty heavily in his favorite tip.
pie previous to reaching Lambs ranch, ard
during the evening brought out his big flask,
and many hot toddy Lamb and he con-
sumed ere FetlrlDg.
The dawn Of another summer day was
breaking when the Englishman proposed to
the ranchman to 60 and take look at the
big servent, which, from his hosts descript-
ion, he felt convinced belonged to the boa
constructor species of tropical America. The
old stage driver was loath to make such an
early call on his pet, who was not likely to
relish being awakened, and might resent the
invasion of American soil by a representa-
| ton Of John Bull. After much persuasion
however, he consented to show his visitor
the snake; go, carrying under his arm his
| faithful accordion, he set out for the snakes
| den. The serpent was summing itself In
| the enclosure when the two arrived there.
The Englishman, in whose head the fumes
| of the previous nights flowing bowl lin
| gered, despite Mr.. Lambs warning, climbed
upon the stone wall and began recklesslJ
whistling "God Save the Queen" In vair
Mr. Lamb entreated him to cease, explain
| ing that the unfamiliar air would only anger
| merely crossed his legs leisurely, winked a
the monster once or twice. inserted his mono
| Gle in his eye, and continued whistlipg in {
| most offensive manner. Once or twice th
| snake Kissed ominously, but otherwise paie
| no attention to his visitors.
Nothing daunted by the chilliness of hi
reception, the Englishman, without mo
ment's warning, jumped from the wall di
rectly into the enclosure announcing his in.
| tention of subduing the reptile with thu
power of the human eye. Horri6ed at this
temerity, Mr.. Lamb hurried to the edge O
the cliff and gazed down upon the reckles
Britisher who was. .serenely inspecting the bi
snake through his glass.
Unconsciously Mr.. Lambs fingers clutche'
his musical instrument, and the soft note
of "Rock-a-By, Baby" floated out into tn
/ ~ too
thoroughly aroused monster, his head erec
and drawn back, was about to spring upol
his apparently doomed victim.
The music acted like charm, and tn
poised snake remained motionless. Mr.
Lamb did not dare to call out, fearing tha
the least discord would break the spell
Slowly the now sobered and Mortified En-
glishman drew back, while, with ths perspir
alton pouring from his forehead at the awfu
scene, MIR. Lamb played on.
| "Drill, Your Tarrier, Drill :" followe
"Rock-a-By." Again the air changed, an
the passing breeze caught tho plaintiye har
| monies of "Razzle-Dazzle."
The serpent slowly swayed to and fre
never for a moment taking his eyes off th
retreating Englishmae.
Human nerve could stand it no longer, an
fascinated by the dull glittering eye of tn
snake the hoIror-stricken man paused, jus
| within reach of those awful coils, unable
move a step further.
Mr.. Lamb groaned to himself. His repe
tory Eof music was becoming exhausted
He saw the revolver at the Euglishman
side, but he dared not speak to bid him t
| use it.
Already he was playing The Lost Chord
his last tune. Suddenly, like hasi
thought came to him. Withou
stirring muscle he began softly to pla
Johnny, Get your gun" look of hoE
and understanding lightened the English
mans face, and slowly he drew his weapo
and carefully cooked it.
A sharp report, puff of smoke and tf
huge reptile lay squirming in convulsions.
The Englishman was thrown violently t
the ground as the CORY body of the sti
auivering serpent struck him. But he 500
braced up on some of his Scotch whiske,
used as an antidote against snakes bite
The pair then examined the serpent, and tt
! Englishman, who was somewhat OF natu'
alist, pronounced the serpent halfgrow
boa constructor, which may have bee
, brought up from Central America by fru
! vessel, or have escaped from travelling ci
|, | Gus. The reptile was skinned and purchase
by the Englishman, and probably ere no
, decorates some English hallway as IN
, mento of the time when ST was -er In Amsl
ca, you know"