Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24
PRESENCE OF MIND.
ThrfAAfMe Adventure With q Rattle.
snake in the Hills of California.

ThrAAAtne Adventure With . Rattle
snake In the Hills of California.
From the Calaveras tCal.) Chronicle.
= Professor Charles Rich, the botanist, had
thrilling experience with monster rat
tlesnake one day last week, and it was
only his GOODNESS and presence Of mind that
saved him from death. Professor Rich and
Dr. lyman, the bugologist, were up in the
higher attitudes Of the Sierras in search Of
rare specimens, and were camped at a
place called Moore Creek They had a
small tent with them, which they had
pitched near a steam Of water that was
fed by spring higher up on.the side of the
mountain.
Friday evening Of last week the professor
and his companion who were completely
worn out with their days tramp in search
OF rare flowers and bugs, retired to their
tent, rolled themselves up in their blankets
ana were soon in dreamland. just as day
light was breaking the professor was
awakened from his slumbers by. feeling a
SOFT ana cfammy substance crawling over
his face and down onto his chest, and, on
raising his head little, to his horror he
discovered 1T was a monster rattlesnake.
The reptile had coileditself, with its head
raised about foot, and ready at the least
movement to strike Il
Cold drops of PRECIPITATION oozed from
every pore of the professors body, while
ana MS eyes becamec!fixed with stony
glare as he gazedt at the head Of the mon
ster, winch was about six or seven inches
from MS lace and swinging from one side
70 the other with the regularity of a clock
pendulum. The suspense was becoming un-
oearabie, but well helknew that the least
move that he made meant death in the
most horrible form. How long he remained
but 1t seemed ages, when suddenly he felt
MS muscles relax, his vision grew dim,
everything around him became dark, and
IN II, Few seconds he was oblivious to every
tnihs around him. The doctor was quietly
sleeping few feet away, unconscious Of
tne terrible danger of his companion
When he awoke the sun was brightly
streaming into the tent, and as he rolled
his blood seemed to chill in his veins at the
sight presented to his view. His COM
pan1on was stretched at full length upon
t e ground. with his eyes closed and his
coiled upon his breast was a huge rattle
snake, apparently asleep
ne quietly seized a shotgun that was
standing near by, and, cooking both barrel,
fire, when he first realized If he did he
would probably ihjure his companion Just
at TINS moment his companion moved a
llttle, when the snake gave a rattle and
again raised his head. The doctor, seeing
MS cnance, fired, and at the report of the
gun his companion gave yell and Jumped
TO mis- feet, throwing the reptile some three
or Tour feet away from him in it's death
struggle The Doctors aim was true, for
the reptiles head was blown completely off.
On oelng measured it was found to be
lour 1eet nine and one-half inches in length
ana mad seventeen rattIes and a button
The professors nerves were so Shattered
by his terrible experience that he was
hardly able to walk, and the following day.
IN company with his companion, he return
GU 70 ms place, where he is at present re-
cuperating under the doctors care