Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-09-09

shore of Governors Island, and might
have been heard by the boys had these
lazy fellows been on the alert.
Without hooking another fish they
soon reached the landing place, and
lifting out the snake in the net laid it
for a moment on the Hat ro"k, while
they hauled up the skiff very quietly
SO rs not To awaken the boys.
When they turned ashore the snake
had crawled out and was making at a
great rate for the interior. Once more
they struck him limp and then they
marched on tip toe for the tent, their
fat sides shaking with suppressed laugh
ter at the ruction which they expected
to ensue when the six feet snake was
laid across the sleeping forms, They
would draw it out full length, $ they
planned, over the blankets Of Jack
Burritt and Bob Bolton and Jimmy
Smith. The surprise andhorrorofth those
youths would he extremely amusing. To
them this would be "A lesson on the
wrongfulness of sleeping late in the
morning. Also, Jack Burritt should
learn that others could carry out CAPT.
tai practical jokes as well as he.
'.Hush-sh-sh-sh, said Acornick.
"IIsh-sh yourself" retorted johnson.
what "A joke on the boys" wills
pered Acornick.
They were now almost at the door Of
the tent.
mo. you don't" suddenly cried Jack
Burritt. Then the flap was thrown
open and the three ''boys" rushed ont
side with huge laughter.
Thunder and lightning-its a cop.
pcrhaad.." cried jack, starting away
with horror in every feature.
"A cupperheadI' cried the two old
boys IN chorus.
"a cGpparheal." repeated johnson,
ilincing away lis net.
~ comprehend" shouted .Acornick,
daring behind the boys.
YES, amoSt monstrous copperhcad,'
roarel Jack Burritt.
"poisonous!' cried Acornick.
poisonous. Well, | should say so.
Why. his mere touch is poison
Heavens. what shall | do" cried
johnson; Il touched him twice. Oh,
my gracious, isn't this horrible" and
his teeth chartered together.
Il touched him, too" shouted
Acornick in equal CONSERVATION.
We'll, this is dreadful. dreadful"
said Jack solennly. My, my, I'm
sorry for you both"
Jack, Jack. for goodness sake, isn't
there anything!'
Nothing but whisky's any use, I'm
afraid, and there's not "A drop in the
camp-so you said this morning"
Yes, yes: I've a little for medicine
left" cried Acornick.
"Ol, but | forgot; its only for cop
perheal bites that whisky's any use"
groaned Jack, You touched the
snake"
"Maybe they didn't touch il on the
most poisonous places, suggested Bob
Bolton.
"Oh, pshaw, what are you giving
us!' cried Acornick. suddenly cover
ing spirit. Its impossible to get poi
soned by just touching a snake"
"Of course it is" protested johnson.
"Ye-es, it is, ehF' said Jack, ewing
them and stroking his head sadly.
did you never hear of a man getting
poisoned by just touching a toad"
That's So" grodned the old boysto-
gether.
There's only one chance-hot water,
boiling hot. Plunge your hands into
il, and keep 'em there as long rs you
can. That's the only chance. No mat
ter II il scalds the skin Off" cried Jack.
Hurry down 10 the cooks camp"
In n moment they were scrambling
down hill to whore llcrmidas, the half
breed cook, had his pots and pals and
fire. He furnished instantly IA pail
full Of boiling water, into which Acor-
nick and johnson eagerly plunged
their hands. With shrieks they with
drew them. Then Jack interfered.
IF it's as hot as that | guess you're
all right now" said he.
do You think soi Are you sure,
jack" asked the old boys.
''Yes, I'm sure" said Jack gravely,
after examining carefully their red
wrists. THE poison's been dissolved.
You may be a little sick this afternoon,
that's all. Let's go back now and look
at the snake"
When they got there the reptile had
again begun to crawl away.
well, dear me" cried Jack, with an
air Of utter establishment, after striking
the snake on the head, II believe IL
isn't a copperhead after all. Now, ]
come to think Of IL, there are no true
copperheads north of Virginia. Lem
me see; why it's a wamper."
What's a wamperG' yelled the old
boys together. as it poisonousE'
Not "A bit Of tits just n common
fox snake-one Of the most harmless
snakes there Is"
gtNut p~pisnnous Va tnucb ." cr;ad