New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09
CH1RNED By 4 TPLESN4KE.
THE NATURALIST WENT TO SLEEP WITH THE
SERPENT Of HIM


From The Caaveras Chronicle
Professor Charles Rich, the botanist. had a
thrilling experience with monster rattlesnake
one day last week, and IT was only his coolnes;
/ and presence II mind that saved him from
death Professor Rich and Dr. lyman the bug
ologst, were up I'm the higher attitudes Of the
Sicrrds III search oi rare Specimens. and were
! oamred al place called Moore Creek They
had 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 daylight was breaking
the professor was awakened from his slurnbers
by feeling soft and clammy substance crawling
over his face and down onto his chest. and, on
raising his head "A little. to his horror he lis
GOV. red ii a monster rattlesnake. The rep
tile had coiled itself with Its 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 rigid as bars OF iron and his eyes
became fixed with stony glare rs 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
clock pendulum. The suspense was becoming I'M
bearable, but well he knew that the least move
that 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
ion grew dim. everything around him became
dark and in few seconds he was ObllviouS 10
everything around him. The doctor was quietly
slice ping a few feet away, unconscious OF mo
terrible danger Of his companion. When he
awcke the sun vas brightly streaming into the
tent and as he rolled over IN his blankets tow
ard 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 ana ms
face as white as a piece Of marble, while colled
upon his breast huge rattcsnake, appar-
emily asleep. IL,
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
first realized il he did H. would probably lnJure
hie companion Just at this moment his compan-
ion moved "A little, when the snake gave a rat
tie and again raised his head. The doctor, see
inr his chance fired and at the report OF the
gun his companion gave yell and Jumped 10 MS
feet throwing the reptile some three or luur
feet away from him in its death struggle. me
doctors aim was true, for the reptiles head was
blown completely OF ,
on being measured 1t was found t. Toe four
foot nine and one-h half inches in length anG h'iu
soventc.n rattes and a button. IN" professor
nerves were so shattered by ms ter'lDlc ~,
ncricuce that he was hardly able 10 Walk ana
The following day. in company WIN ms COM
nanion ne returned 10 this place. where ne i IL
present rccupcratng under the doctors care