Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-01-20
CHARMED BY A RATTlESNAKE.
Rendered Unconscious by the Serpent
CoiIed ON His Breast.

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Prof. Charles Rice, the botanist, had
thrilling experience with a monster
rattlesnake one day recently, and it was
only his GOODNESS and presence of mind
that saved him from death. Prof. Rice
and DR.. lyman, the bugologist, were up
in the higher attitudes of the Sierras
in search of specimens, and were
camped at place called Moore Creek.
They had a small tent with them, which
they had pitched near a stream 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 them
selves up in their blankets, and were
soon in dreamland. Just as daylight
was breaking the professor was
awakened from his slumbers by feel
ing a soft and clammy substance crawl
ing over his face and down on to his
chest, and on raising his head a little
to his horror he discovered it was a mon
itself, with its head raised about 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
af b,a IL
six or seven inches from his face and
swinging from one side to tie other
with the regularity of clock pendu-
lum. The suspense was becoming un-
bearable, but still he knew that the least
move that he made meant death in the
most horrible form. How long be re-
manned in this terrible position he does
not know, but it seemed ages, when sud
denly he felt his muscles relax, his
vision grew dim, everything around
him became dark, and in few seconds
he was oblivious to everything around
him. The doctor was quietly sleeping
q few feet away, unconscious of the ter
rible danger of his companion. When
he awoke the sun was brightly stream
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, with his eyes closed
and his face as white as piece of mar
bic, 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 IL TO his shoulder and
was about to fire, when he realized that
if he did he would probably injure his
companion. Just at this moment his
companion moved little, when the
snake gave rattle and again raised his
head. The doctor, seeing his chance,
fired, and at the report of the gun his
companion gave yell and pumped to
his feet, throwing the reptile three or
four feet away from him in its death
struggle. The doctors aim was true,
for the reptiles head was blown COM
pletely off.
On being measured il was found to be
feet 91a inches in length and had II
rattles and a button. The professors
nerves were so shattered by his terri
BILE 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
recuperating under the doctors care
Calaveras (Cal) Chronicle.