Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-03-08

The snake was now coiied up about
thirty feet away, swinging -<hiS head
from side to side In q threatening mani
ner.
"Isn't no o whopper?" said George,
fearfully. "And he's right in our path,
too. We can't get back to the main
land without running across him."
1--WE can't swim around him, either,
for there's that big gator" whispered
James. "What'll We do. any how?"
Indeed, that was. serious question
with the boys now They were actually
penned in by o rattlesnake on one side
and big alligator on the other.
Neither reptile would attack them II
they remained quiet, but that meant
that they had to stay there until either
the snake or tho alligator got tired Of re-
naming in one spot.
1t was queer and dangerous trap
into which they had got caught. The
neck of land on which they stood was
narrow, low and damp, and the boys
could not sit down and rest themselves.
The RATHER remained in its defiant po-
sition, watching tho two lads sharply.
The alligator, after eating the turkey,
quietly closed its eyes and apparently
went to sleep.
MAY be We can escape this way and
the old fellow won't bother u.s." said
James.
He stepped into the water, but his
foot had no sooner touched bottom than
the huge "'gator" opened its eyes and
made motion to enter the water, too.
1T won't do, James-it won't do.
He'll snap you up in no time"
"' 1t was evident that the boys could not
escape by the water side, and then they
turned their attention to the snake.
They looked around for some big
chunk of wood to throw at the reptile,
but there wasn't piece large enough
near them. 49,
"We1l have to wait until he gets
ready togo, that's all" said James, de-,
cidedly. lit won't do to make him
angry" =,
And that was the only conclusion that
the boys could come to, and they both
remained quiet for long time after,
first resting on one leg and then on the
other. Their feet were wet and they
felt very uncomfortable. The RATHER,
finding every thing quiet, lowered its
head and closed its eyes to finish its
nap.
The alligator also seemed TO slumber.
But the first noise which the boys made
reused the two watchful enemies and
two pairs Of wicked eyes CLEANED at
them.
The morning soon slipped away and
the sun began to 60. down the western
sky. 1t was long wait, and the boys
fretted and worried. They thought Of
the oranges, which were not yet picked,
and Of their father returning home to
find that the work was not finished.
1--WE can't stand this any longer" sud:
denly exclaimed James. ''Im going to
call for help"
.."But nobody will hear u.s." said
George, discouragingly. 4
The two boys then set up long, loud
shout. They repeated it at short inter-
yals until their voices were hoarse. The
snake and alligator no longer slept, but
moved around uneasily as if they dis
liked so much noise.
As their last and. only resort the boys
kept shouting and screaming, almost
crying, for pains began to shoot up
their legs from their wet feet No one
seemed to be within calling distance.
The sun slowly sank lower and lower
toward the western horizon, and night
was near at hand.
'NOh, dear, what can we DOB Well
get killed If we stay here after dark"
sobbed James. '."Help help, help!" he |
then shrieked in desperation.
''Hello-o-ow =
The boys started as they heard this
response. Then they answered it with
repeated cries. Some one was coming
to their rescue.
In about fifteen minutes Mr.. Bullock
pushed his way through the hommock
to the strange scene.
What's the matter?" he inquired, in,
. stern voice.
The boys soon explained the circum-
stances to him.
''Humph, that's 1t. is it?"
He had brought his gun with him, and
1t did not take. him long to fill the |
with heavy buckshot. The boys
then stepped across the dead bodyiOf
their. enemy and reached the mainland.
. $50 you have had q pretty good scare,
reckon" said Mr.. Bullock, as ne
looked. at the two frightened faces.
"Well, was going to scare you with q
whip for not Obeying me, but I think
you have been punished enough for
Your disobedience. You can go home |
now while I skin this rattler.p
The two boys hurried through the |
h0mmock, and did not stop until they |
reached. the house. Their afternoons
had taught them hard les. |
n l. 4 -