The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-17

being suspended by stout rope which was
attached to straps around the breast, under
the arms and over the shoulders, all fas-
tened together at the shoulder blades,
where it would be impossible for him to
reach the knot with his free hands. sew
eral more rocks were hurled Gown
upon the roc: rocky lsdge, and va .aea
subsequent Developments in painful sus-
pense, in order to determine the object of
the strange actions of the Indians, the IN
fortunate wretch was being slowly and care
fully lowered to his fate, and when but
few feet from the projecting rocks heard Il
sound resembling escaping steam from II
distant engine. Fixing my glasses upon the
place where he would soon step, noticed
that the little rocky shelf seemed to be III
motion. Great heaven! Such awful deprav
ity of human nature, such slckenlng and
horrible atrocity could not witness, and
turned nv head away from the revolving
sight. The poor Indian was being lowered
into den Of thousands and thousands of
loathsome, writhing, venomous rattlesnakes,
made blindly mad by the rocks thrown upon
them, and were waiting for revenge to
strike his naked body when it came within
reach-and the Kissing SOUNDS L nea1a nv ~
yards away, were signals OF warning. Inc
poor recourse of seeking preferable death
by plunping over the Cliff was denied the
wretch, for the six stalwart bucks who held
the rope above would never give II play
enough to permit such action.
There is an indefinite attraction about
scene of horror which few can resist, and
inst as the Indians feet touched the ledge
of rocks my glasses we're again fastened on
him, Then ensued the most exciting,
though disgusting and unequal contest
ever Witnessed in my life. The young fell
low WIS as nimble as cat, and brnshlne
away the angry serpents with his feet. so us
4 ..lt 4 hnr m0Ved
with wonderful dexterity, born OF despera-
ton. Hundreds of rattlers he grabbed IN
his hands and threw over the cliff without
seeming injury to himself, and l began to
hope he would at least be able to clear n
spot where he would be safe from their at
tacks. For two or three seconds ms arm
shot out like flashes of light. and ne APP
peared to be able to look IN all dlrectlons at
one time. as he caught the reptiles IN his
hands and flung them from him. SUD
denly cry Of derision arose from the
group of savages on the peak, and as the
gladiator arose ] saw that an immense rat
tier had fastened to the back of his neck.
Still he went on with his futile work of self
preservation but his movements grew
slower and slower. In a minute from the
time his foot touched the rattlesnakes, den
he staggered and fell, and when the Indians
began hauling him up to the top OF the
precipice could see that fully dozen OF
buc Icpulce IoA Ae'oeS"SN
fangs in his flesh in a manner SO as to be
unable to extract them. He was then IN
the commissions of death, and hurriedly re-
turned to my horse and rode home, being
anxious to leave the spot where 1 had I'M
fortunately witnessed such horrible bartar-
itv, and to prevent which was totally pow
erless.
Juan afterward told me that if the con.
demned witch had succeeded in cleaning
a place around him where he could nave
lived for half an hour without being bitten
by a snake his life would have been spared
and the medicine men would have been the
ones to suffer. fancy, however, that being
beaten to death by squaws is preferable to
being bitten to death by rattlesnakes, and
that few of the unfortunates who fall under
the ban of witchcraft law of Pima superstl-
ton ever resort to an appeal to the higher
supreme court.