Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-10-31
is probable | would not have heed

ed the axiom IL IT had. l gave a
powerful jerk to disengage it from
the rocks to which it chung SO for
chilly by its suckers, and again was
frustrated by it's marvellous strength
and resistance.
Being somewhat tired by my eff
forts in the hot sun, / was on the
ponit of letting 60 my hold and per-
hitting the cutie to escape, when
the enraged animal lifted its head,
with its large eyes protruding from
the middle of its body, and letting
go it's hold OH the rocks suddenly
turned and sprang upon my right
arm, which | had previously barred
to my shoulder in order to reach
shells ut the bottom of holes or in
shallow pools of water left by the
fast ebbing tide. 1t chung with its
suckers with great power, and, as ]
tried to free my arm with my left
hand, two of the limbs were wound
round my left arm, but the suckers
could not maintain their hold in
my shirt sleeve, and rejoiced great
ly thereat. My exultation was of
short duration, however, for the
palm and back of my hand offered
good holding-ground, and | was
soon helpless. To this add the pal
pable rage it exhibited, with its
huge, cruel, protruding eyes darling
defiance and seemingly flashing fire,
and the body turning many colors
from purple to bright crimson
swaying to and fro under the inn
pulse of the contractions of it's un-
employed tentacles, and you may
picture, if you can, the danger Of
my situation.
"For while thought my adj.
versary would be content in show
ing his strength; but when it Ell.
deavored to get its beak, which
could see between the roots of its
arms, in position to bite, and the
tentacles were dashed and thrashed
about like whips, and cries of rage
resembling the growl of a fierce
Watchdog were repeatedly uttered
| knew that | had underestimate
the power and ferocity of the SEEM
ingly harmless squid. Its cold
Shiny grasp was extremely sicken'
ing, and in my terror called out
to Walker who was disappearing
round the point. The sound of my
voice seemed to madden my foe, fol
it now bit me in a dozen or more
places with its sharp parrot-bil
mouth, my arms, side, and body eacl
coming in for it's share.
Looking about me ] noticed {
projecting rock which thought
could be used to free me from my
hideous and lothsome load. APP
preaching it, | spread my arms a.
wide apart as | could, and threw TIT
animal over the point of the pro
lection with as much force as
could gather, expecting that thu
shock would release me; or, if tina
failed, that by pressing my fee
against the base of the rock coult
tear myself loose. Vain thought
| could not have done q more un
wise thing, for | had played int
the creatures hand, so to speak, fo
it instantly fastened itself to tn,
rock by four Of it's arms, and | wa
as much Of prisoner as ever. No
was this all. Judge if you cal
with what horror felt the sucker
grippe me with increased force; con
ceive if you can the terror that tool
hold of me when | realized that
had lost all power to control m,
own movements, and that | was be
ing drawn, with apparently littl
effort towards the water. Mad will
fright and apprension, resisted
and again called, nay howled, TO
Walker to hurry.
''How long he was in arriving
Each second seemed minute, eacl
minute an hour; yet, suppose tina
once he saw something out Of tn
ordinary had occurred, he was no
above two minutes in reaching m,
side. To my unspeakable DISCUS
he did not offer to help me, bu
stood with bulged-out eyes lookin,
at the monster with whom / ha
been battling for quarter of al
hour. by Jove! Amt lucky
Worth ten years Of a mans life,' h
shouted in his transport. Hold o.