The herald., 1898-03-13
RATHER on HIS BREAST
HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE OF AN
EXPLORER
Professor Rich Has an Experience in
a Sierra Camp That Quite Shat
ters His Nerves

Professor Charles Rich, the botanist, had
thrilling experience with monster rat
tlesnake one day last week. and 1t 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 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
| light was breaking the professor was
awakened by feeling a soft and clammy
substance crawling over his face and down
on to his chest, and, on raising his head
little to his horror he discovered it was a
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 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 stony
glare as he gazed at the head of the mon
ster which was about six or seven inches
from his face and swinging from one side
to the other with the regularity of CLOCK
pendulum. The suspense was becoming
unbearable but we'll he knew that the
least move that he made meant death in
the most horrible form.
How long he remained in this terrible po-
sition he does not know but it seemed ages
when suddenly he felt his muscles relax,
his vision grew dim, everything around
him became dark and in a few seconds he
was obivious to everything around him.
The doctor was quietly sleeping 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. 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 a shotgun that was
standing near by. cooking both barrels,
raised it to his shoulder and was about to
fire, when he realized if he did he would
probably injure his companion. Just at this
moment his companion moved a little,
when the snake gave rattle and raised
his head. The doctor, seeing his chance,
fired and at the report of the gun his COM
panion gave yell and jumped to his feet,
throwing the reptile some tnree or -FOUR
feet away from him in its death struggle.
The doctors 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 q
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
returned to this place. where he Is at pres
ent recuperatng under the Doctors care. |
-Calaveras (Cal) Chronicle.