The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-01-12
CHARMED BY A RATTLEsNAKE.
The Naturalist Went to Sleep With tn
 

The Naturalist Went to Sleep With the
 Serpent on Him.
 Professor Charles Rich the botaniSt, had thrilling experience with a monster rattle snake one day last week, and it was only his coolness and presence. of mind that saved him from death. Professor Rich and Dr. Tynan, the bugologist, were up in the higher attitudes of the Sierras in search of rare specimens, and were camped at place called --oore Creek. They had ,L.small tent with them, which they had pitched near stream of water that was fed by a 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, and were soon in dreamland Just as day awakened from his slumbers by feeling a soft and clanmy substance crawling over his face and down on to his chest, and. on raising his head a little, to his horror he discovered 1t was monster rattlesnake. The reptile had coiled itself, with it's head raised about foot, and ready at the least movement to strike.
 Cold drops of precipitation oozed from ev- cry pore of the professors body while his muscles became as rigid as bars of iron and his eyes became fixed with stony glare as he gaZed at the Lead of the monster which was about six or seven inches from his face and swinging from one side to the oth CT with the reguartity of a clock pendulum. The suspense was becoming unbearable, but
 
 made meant death in the most horrible form. How long he remained in this terri ble position he does not know, but it seemed ages, when suddenly he felt his muscles relax, his vision grew dim, every thing around him became dark, and in a few seconds he was obliyious to everything around him. The doctor was quietly sleep ing few feet away, unconscious of the ter rible danger of his companion. When he awoke the sun was brightly streaming into the tent, and as he rolled oyer in his blan- to chill in his veins at the sight presented to his view. His companion was stretched at full length upon the ground, with his eyes closed and his face as white as piece of marble while coiled upon his breast was a huge rattlesnake. apparently asleep.
 He quietly seized shotgun that was standing near by, and, cooking both barrels raised it to his shoulder and was about to fire, when he first realized if he did he would probably injure his companion. Just at this moment his companion moved a lit raised his head. T-e 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 It's death strug- gle. The doctors aim was true, for the rep tiles head was blown completely off.
 On being measured it was found to be four feet nine and one-half inches In length and had seventeen rattles and a button his terrible experience that he was hardly able to walk. and the following day in com pany with his companion he returned to this place, where he is at present recupera- ting under the doctors care.-Calaveras Chronicle.