The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1894-08-15
THE BIG SERGEANT.
While He Was Asleep Death Lay Within
Reach.

AhbaCAts
About 10 O'Clock in the forenoon the big
sergeant returned from his trip across the
creek and lay down on his blankets in the
October sun to have smoke, and for half
an hour he kept up conversation with
the three or four of US who were sitting
about rs we cleaned our guns or mendcd
our clothing. BY and by his pipe fell from
his lips, and he slept We continued to
talk, but In lower tones. as Is the rule of
the camp. H, may hat slept 90 min
uttes when l was about start up. In
stinctively or unconsciou ly, glanced at
the man on the blank Is and almost
screamed out in terror
Ten feet from his head was sage bush,
with mat of grass about it's roots. A
monster rattlesnake had crawled from this
bush and curled itself up ON the blankets
directly beside the sergeant's left arm.
There was NOT more than an inch of space
between serpent and arm. Man and scr
pcnt both slept in the sunshine 1t was q
couple Of minutes before could silently
attract the attention of the others, but
when that had been accomplished we be-
gan crawling softly away Quietly as we
moved, the snake was alarmed and reared
u,
not sound its rattles.
When we were 80 feet away, we coun-
seled In whispers as to what we should do
Let the big sergeant but move hand or foot
and the snake would strike with the swift
ness of lightning A waking man, fully
realizing his peril might gather himself
for sudden roll to the right but he would
not even dare to draw long breath or
move finger. The other men were across
the creek and half a mile away, and the
sound Of their voices barely reached u.s.
We could think Of but one way to do.
One Of us must creep up on the sergeant's
right side, whisper his peril in his ear, and
thSn rest the muzzle of u carbine across his
body and blow the snake clear away with
the bullet The big sergeant was a man
Of iron nerve, but could he be aroused
without an alarms His hat was pulled
down over his face till we could only sec
the point of his chin. To fire at the ser
pent as he lay coiled up meant peril to the
soldier. Our nerves were so shaky that
none Of us could have been induced to try
the shot. 1t was decided that Private
O'Malion should try to carry out our
plan. He pulled OF his shoes, stripped
OF his jacket and belt, and flinging down
his hat he grasped carbine and went
creeping over the short grass. The others
OF US could but walt and hope. II the ser
geant slept on, all might DO well Ii he
awoRe, he was lost man. we had no
remedy IN the camp Tor the poison which
the fangs OF that reptile would leave be-
hind.
sss aigniy n ~ yards to creep, and yet It seem
cu thnt Sne man wouid never nnish MS
journey. he must De LOUDLY careful.
noise which might not reach the serpent's
ear might arouse the soldier. TO have
touched him before whispering In his ear
would nave been 20 rouse hin up. when
" Mailon nnaily pens forward, our excite
mont was SO great that we turned our
races away.
Sergeant! ne Whispered AFTER soft
Mss sergeant wake upP
Inc sergeant moved his right hand TO
show that he understood.
Ihere's snake on your bianketF
Inc hand moved again.
I'm going to rest the gun on your body
ana Diow the lie out OF MIMI NO need OF
your Jumping up after fire, because he'll
Dc o oeao snakel