Connecticut western news., 1890-11-12

1 Fetch the snake ashore and throw it on 'em?" cried Johnson.
 That's the ticket, old man. Golly won't they how'll" and in few mo ments the boat was close alongside tht reptile, Instead of diving his snake ship carried high head, necessarily wavering from side to side, as if il thought of trying some other line of es cape, but still glided along straight fol the wooded island on the lee of which were all parties to this affair. His ar rowy tongue quivered in and out con tinually, and as the old boys reached him they saw that he was indeed a big fellow, some six feet long, mottled in very dark brown patches, with wick. ed looking, yellow, fiattened head. Maybe it's rattlesnake," cried Acornick in alarm.
 ''Rattlesnake be hanged-the rattle snakes were all killed off these islands years ago. It's just some harmless snake. Let drive at him with the oar"
 Instead of doing so Acornick struck the snake smartly few inches behind the head with the iron rim of 8 land ing net. It collapsed instantly, wal lowed as if fatally hurt, and in few moments was lifted into the boat and tucked completely into the net. While the two old boys, who knew next to nothing about snakes, were discussing his markings, sagely and secretly ad- miring one another for the prodigious courage they had displayed, the rep tile writhed little, but remained ap- parently we'll and truly killed
 "I'n bet you S5 it's 8 water snake, , said Acornick.
 ''In bet you S1O it isn't. I'll bet you it's land snake. I'll bet you $2O it's garter snake or else milk snake"
 ''Or maybe a hoop snake," suggested Acornick in propitiatory voice, as if staggered by the confidence of his Johnson's) assertions.
 No matter what it is" said John son, feeling the triumph of superior knowledge, ''it'll be a grand joke on those lazy fellows"
 Then Acornick deposited the landing net in the bow, threw coat over its mouth to keep the snake inside and turned for the camp with glee.
 s'I'll take the oars now if you like" :" said Johnson, and they changed places with more ease than might have been expected from two such wide men, clasping one another just in the middle of the skiff and shifting past adroitly the next instant.
 ''Put out the spoon, why don't you2" said Johnson as he took the oars. We've only got two bass yet"
 "All right. Maybe we'll pick up a 1unge on the way in'
 A 'lunge is always a Georgian bay possibility, but to take one is luck like finding paying gold mine.
 ''I've got him!" cried Acornick, in 8 few minutes.
 ''Well, hang on to him; don't make such an outrageous fuss about it." These two brethren of the gentle art lost few opportunities to hector one an- other
 ''I've got him and he's a sockdol- ager!" cried Acornick. Away behind the boat white streak leaped twice into the air.
 ''It's d 1unge-a whale of 'lunge," cried Johnson. 'sYouu never land him in the world. I'll bet you hat you don't"
 Pull out into deep water-out, I say-give me a chance-Iu take your bet-ten hats if you ike-pun out-out from the shore. What are you loafng with those oars for? Gracious how he pulls!"
 Just then something meandered down the bottom of the skif from between Johnson's feet.
 'sThe snake! the snakes aive!" cried Acornick. Johnson made stamp at the reptile and missed. Acornick, bothered by the 'lunge, could not seize anything to strike his snakeship with, so he violently thrust his feet straight at the creatures open mouth and forky tongue. At that the snake turned back toward Johnson, who seized stretcher and, striking cleverly at the reptiles head, laid it out limp once more. Then they put him back in the net and placed it again in the bow.
 Lost the 'lunge" cried Acornick, hauling at his slack line in disgust.
 'Ten hats" said Johnson "Num- Der seven and quarter. Rogeen's best"
 Snakes were barred. I'd look well paying ten hats in these circumstances. You should pay for the 'lunge. You would have the confounded snake, J cried Acornick:
 'Ir
 ''Yes, you" 'Il I'd have himT
 ''Yes, you. Always going fooline with snakes and things" "T9',
 'sYes, you, sir!' 'sWen, that's good one. Wasn't il you that"-
 "Oh, never mind Anyhow it'll be good joke on the Joys" "Yes, if you don't blab about losing the 'lunge. Oh, by gracious" cried hook that 1unge." By this time they were close to the 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, anc lifting out the snake in the net laid i for a moment on the flat rock, while they hauled up the skiff very quietl! so as not to awaken the boys.
 When they turned ashore the snak had crawled out and was making at 1 | rrroof rofo for. fha interior Once nor