Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-01-31

What allied that tree? He did not
remember that either limb, reached
the ground when he was there that
morning. Now it was sweeping fine
ground and waving into the air more
than any OF the other limbs.
Great Scott Look at those glit-
terlng eyes, With the scream Nellie
had heard ne sprang to his feet to
lace the oscillating body capped by
the horrible head OF an immense
snakel
The long limb OF that tree had
evolved a great serpent
Months before the story had been
circulated that python had escaped
rom travelling menagerie which
had been exhibiting in that vicinity.
but people had laughed at the report
as good advertisement and also a
good excuse for the absence from
their exhibition of the interesting
reptile.
Here he was tonight to answer for
himself, however. Nothing to laugh
at, either!
lie had probably been coied under
that pile of wood or quite possibly
within that very tree-top all through
that hot July day. The GOODNESS
and quiet of evening had tempted
him out for recreation or plumber
and poor Fred had chosen the right
time and place to get good view OF
a rare specimen" without paving
his quarter
Fred raised his axe 70 strike. but
before he could bring it down upon
the sleek, fat body of his dreadful
antagonist there was n blood-curd.
ling hiss, lightning-like glide along
the short distance between them, and
the snake, with one sweep of his 1.-the
coil, had enveloped the boys body
and right arm in an er-tightenino
fold that, without immediate outside
interposition, would soon have rem.
dered this story too tragic to be
told.
Then rang out his cries for help
from those who would so gladly aid
him did they know his peril.
AS he struck away the distended
Jaws and swaying head, which seemed
to be forever before his face, and
every moment to threated him, his
situation was not unlike that of
LAGOON of old.
All his efforts seemed to be in vain.
the awful, crushing construction was
fast telling upon his strength and he
fell on one knee upon the body of the
python.
He will never forget Just how it
seemed; the cold, Shiny surface and
its ivory-like impenetrability and
resistance to the touch OF his hands.
Could no one hear his cries, which
he felt were growing fainter?
Just as he was about to succumb
to his fate, and the fierce compression
OF that tense, steel-like coli, so cold,
so revolving, he heard Rover's saw
age growl and with a last cry of:
Take him, Rover Take him, old
fellowl'' he tainted.
As Nellie rushed down the road to
the pasture bars she encountered a
two-horse hay-rack loaded with the
the paraphernalia ofhay-making and
with three men on board; neighbors
returning from cut ting hay on q dis
tant meadow.
She hastily summoned them to her
assistance.
They arrived on the ridge lust in
time to hear Fred's last cry, and see
Rover plunge desperately to the res
cue.
When Rover's sharp teeth closed in
the snakes body, he swept one coil
from about the boy, and turning like
Il flash attacked the dog, Kissing
Rover sprang back in alright. but,
still true to his young master, he i'm
charged upon his foe with
vigor. But here the terror
stricken spectators came to their
senses; and while one pounded the au-
dacious cannibal with a pitch fork he
had brought with him from the wag-
on, another seized the axe Fred had !
dropped, and cut him into q dozen
pieces before he wonld let go his wise
like grip upon poor Fred, who now
lay like one dead.
The boy was taken home, and by |
their united efforts was finally restor- |
ed to consciousness. He looked |
around the room, at his nearly fran |
tic mother; at his father, pale and |
trembling, seated beside the bed; took |
as long breath as his strength and
recent squeezing he had Eeen subject
ed to would admit. and asked in a
voice scarcely above a whisper:
"Am | dead, father? Did he get |
away, Mr.. Burton?" turning to the |
who was rubbing his arm,
which was numb and powerless.
"No," replied Burton. eve got |
there just in time to prevent his get
ting away with you inside him. Hes
lead"
"All right, then," whispered Fred.
guess he broke q rib orme, but | can
stand that as long as he'll never get
4 chance to steal another lamb.
Fred didn't recover from that en-
counter for several days, and even
low the sight of the most harmless
IF snakes gives him an uncomfortable
hill.
His friends thought .he displayed
rood courage, but he often asserted
hat in the supreme moment, when
lis arm was raised to strike, he would
gladly have taken to his heels and
led ifhe could,an that his part in
he battle was wholly defensive
Annie l.. Beal, in Yankee Blade.