The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-19
CHARMED by A RATTLESNAI[E.
Sank Into UncOnsciOusness While
the Serpent Was COiled on His
Hreust.

the Serpent Was COiIed on His
Breast.
From the Calaveras Chronicle.
Prof. Charles Rice, the botanist had a
thrilling experience with a monster rat
tlesnake one day last week, and it was
only his coolness and presence of mind
that saved him from death. Prof. Rice
and DIR. lyman, the bugologist, were up
in the higher attitudes of the Serras in
search of rare specimens, and were camp
ed at a place called Moore creek. They
had a small tent with them, which they
had pitched near a stream of water that
was fed by a spring higher up on the side
Of the mountain.
Friday evening of last week the profess
sor and his companion who were complete
ly worn out with their days tramp in
search of rare flowers and bugs, retired
to their tent rolled themselves
up in their blankets, and were
soon in dreamland Just as day
light was breaking the professor
was awakened from his slumbers by feel
ing a soft and clammy substance crawling
over his face. and down on to his chest,
and, raising his head a little, to his hor-
ror. he discovered 1t was a monster rat
tlesnake. The reptile had coiled itself
with its head raised about a foot, and
ready at the least movement made TO
strike.
Cold drops of perspiration ooZed from
every pore of the professors body, while
his muscles became as rigid as bars of
iron, and his eyes became fixed with a
stony glare as he gazed at the head Of
the monster, which was about six or seven
inches from his face and swinging from
one side to the other with the regularity
of a clock pendulum. The suspense was
HI I,.t EFT ha lrtaax
that the least move that he made meant
death in the most horrible form.
How long he remained In this Terrible
position he does not know, but 1t seemed
ages when suddenly he felt his muscles
relax, his vision grow dim, everything
around him became dark, and in a few
seconds he was obllvious TO everything
around him The doctor was quietly sleep
ing a few feet away unconscious of the
terrible danger of his companion. When
he awoke the sun was brightly streaming
into the tent, and as he rolled over in his
blankets toward his companion his blood
seemed to chill In his veins at the sight
presented to his view His companion was
stretched at full length upon the ground
as white as a piece of marble, while coll
ed upon his breast was huge ruttlesnake,
apparently asleep.
He quietly seized shotgun that was
standing near by, and, cooking both bar
refs, halsed It to his shoulder and was
about to fire, when he realized that If he
did he would probably njure his compan-
ion. Just at this moment his companion
moved a little, when the snake gave rat
tie and again raised his head. The doctor
seeing his chance, fired, and at the report
of the gun his companion gave a yell and
jumped to his feet, throwing the reptile
some three or four feet away from him in
its death struggle. The Doctors aim was
true, for the reptiles bead was blown
completely off.
On being measured 1t was found to be
4 feet 91a inches in length and has seven
teen rattles and a button The profess
or's nerves were so shattered by his terri
BILE experience that he was hardly able to
walk, and the following day, in company
with his companion. he returned to this
place, where he Is at present recuperating
under the Doctors care.