Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-11-16
SAVED BY A SNAKE.

Game there WIS none. We could not
break camp NOW with our weak men upon
our hands and it only remained for some
one to attempt thedesperate journey across
the San Juan range by way of the Deylis
pass to Animas, and return with food Oh
a rescuing party. Failing in that, spring
timo would end our cabin inhabited by
corpses.
We drew lots among ourselves, therefore. |
We we'll men, to decide who should under
take this perilous trip, and the risk fell |
upon me. 1t was best perhaps that II
should have been SO. for of all the party
best knew the trail. Without waste o!
words or time prepared myself for the
Journey, and thoroughly armed early one
morning before the pale moon had fallen
behind the western mountains babe good
by to my comrades and started. -
Turning my back upon the camp, set
tied my course by star and at brisk
pace steered southwark. All day | con.
tinued on the trail. ever with watchful
eye for Indian signs-for believed our Old
enemies still in the vicinity-but all day
unmolested, and at last, weary and worn,
as the chill shadows began to creep across
the great white plain behind me, l saw
looming up in front the San Juan range,
rashed with a narrow eorge--the DEVILS
nass. Once through that horrible grave
for IL was little clse-and the road to Ami.
mas would be comparatively easy. My
spirits rose hopefully.
As darkness came fairly down found
myself lust ut the mouth Of the canyon
which led up to the pass, and deeming it a
| most sheltered place for camping spot
soon gathered u heap of dead limbs beneath
an oyerhanging rock where the snow had
not vet come, built roaring fire, which
| warmed and checred me, and prepared for
the night. felt little fear, for the narrow,
frowning canyon walls would hide the light
of my fire from all the plain country. The
only disturbance which | might look for
would be the bowling Of tue wolves, who
might threaten, but would not dare attack
me, and cared not for them.
With these comforting reflections, there
fore, ate hearty supper, drank little
melted snow water. lit my pipe, and rolling
myself in my blanket crowded close to the
rock wall behind me, now well warmed by
| my fire. And 50 in the Pickering light, pro.
tected upon all sides. gave myself unhesi
tatingly up to slumber.
How long | slept | cannot say. 1t was
deep in the night when woke with sud
den chill 1t was as if some one had touched
me with a cold and clammy hand but even
before was well awake my frontiersman's
caution returned, and I opened my eyes
slowly and didn't move.
The Gre was all but out, and the ghostly
light from its dying embers touched the
snow and rocks and trees about with a
strange color like thick blood. The ali
was growing chill and still, too, except foJ
Che cry Of coyote far up the canyon wall
opposite, who whined and barked inces.
santly.
There was something almost oppressive
about the silence to me, when suddenly
from Just beyond my smoldcring fire tht
sound of step startled me, and before
had time even to move there was bending
over me a hideous, painful face-the face o.
savage. And in his hand, already creep
ing toward my heart, was his heavy scalp
ing knife!
To describe my sensations Is impossible
Some terrible spell seemed to bind me
Not only was | facing danger which
meant instant death, but was unable t.
move, even in the attempt to save myself
1t was as if were fascinated.
tried to reason with myself. This wa
but a single enemy. II should sprin!
. unon him. I might kill him and SO he free
i. Int. although the reasoning was all right
. the action / was unable to bring about
Q and NIL the time the terrible knife Lrey