The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-02-19
RATTLESNAKE
Went to Sleep on Him But He Didn't
 Dare Move.

Went to Sleep on Him But lie DloH
 Dare Move.
 Professor Charles Rich, the botanist, had thrilling experience with mon- ster rattlesnake one day last week. and 1t was only his coolness and presence of mind that saved him from death. Pro- lessor Rich and Dr. Tynan, the bugolo- gist, 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 stream of water that was fed by spring higher up on the side of the mountain.
 Friday evening of last week the pro- lessor and his companion, who were completely worn out with their days tramp in search of rare flowers and bugs, retired to their tent, rolled them selves up in their blankets and were soon in dreamland. Just as daylight was breaking the professor was awak- ened from his slumbers by feeling a soft and clammy substance crawling over his face and down on his chest. and, on raising his head little, to his horror he discovered it was monster rattlesnake. The reptile had coiled it. self, with it's head raised about foot, and ready at the least movement to strike.
 Cold drops of precipitation oozed from every 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 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 pendu- lum. The suspense Was. becoming un- bearable, but we'll he knew that the least move 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 grew dim, ev- erything around him became dark, and In few seconds he was oblivious to ev- erythng around him. The doctor was quietly sleeping few feet, away, un- conscious of the terrible danger of his l 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 pre- | scented to his view. His companion was | stretched at full length upon the ground, with his eyes closed and his | face as white as a piece of marble, l while coiled upon his breast was a huge rattlesnake, apparently asleep.
 He quietly seized a shotgun that was | standing near by and cooking both bar | rels, 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 little, when the | snake gave 8 rattle and again raised | his head. The doctor, seeing his
 chance, fired, and at the report of the | gun his companion gave yell and | jumped to his feet, throwing the rep | tile some three or four feet away from l him in it's death struggle. The doctors S | aim was true, for the reptiles 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 l button. The professors nerves were shattered by his terrible experience | that he was hardly able to walk and the following day, in company with his | companion. he returned to this, where
 he is at present recuperating under the
 doctors care.-Calaveras (Cal) Chron- | icle.