The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-09

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tcross thegpIains from Engle, he was in
EXCELLENT spirits and little thought the
.ight would bring him the most dreadful
tortures Of his life's experience. The
miner had been isolated for the past is
years In Chloride, where he controls vaiu-
able mining properties and cattle enter
prises.
The railroad does not penetrate into
the camp. As a consequence while going
on his recent trip to this point MIR.
James was obliged to travel overland on
horseback, and, knowing 1t would be inn
possible to reach his destination before
dark, he supplied himself with a cowboy
shakedown," which consisted Of q pair Of
blankets and a canvas sheet. These were
the means Of saving him from q most
horrible and lingering death.
Al darkness overlook the horseman he
spread his blankets on what appeared to
be a convenient and suitable space Of
desert ground within an inclosure Of
rocks of small elevation. He then al
lowed his animal to Craze in close prox-
unity and, being fatigued from his long
journey, turned in" and was soon lost in
deep repose. in a short space of time,
however, he was awakened by the pecul-
lar stamping and neighing Of his horse
He arose and proceeded to where the
creature stood. when he was greeted by
the soul stirring rafting and the pres
ance OF an unknown number of squirm-
ing, kissing, writing rattlesnakes eneir-
cling his path and environment.
A full moon revealed the reptiles In
great numbers. and the perilous position
and surroundings Of the startled man
can be easily imagined.
Being possessed Of the instincts Of the
froDtiersman from long living on thu
plains, the awe stricken miner well knew
that to disturb the treacherous yipers
would aggravate them into q frenzy and
a tendency to strike, which was eQuiva-
lent to instant death. So he awaited a
favorable opportunity, then coolly lay
down, covered his entire body and head
with the blankets and remained In that
awful position until daylight.
The miner actually lay IN a den Of
snakes. BY exercising much presence of
mind be crawled to a place OF safety and
from a near distance stoned and killed II
Of his hideous bedfellows. The fortunate
traveller reached Engle the following day,
rareworn and considerably aged and per-
picked in mind from his p~erilous predica-
ment of the night before.
In relating his narrowing adventure
Mr.. James, however, manifested no out
ward uneasiness Of manner, but mentally
the man suffered extreme torture at the
thought Of his never to be forgotten
night's experience on the barren plain.
"At times l found it difficult to
breathe" said Mr.. James. "and that
frightful feeling of crawling reptiles
across ones body is Understandable. When
/ was first attracted by the ~uneasiness Of
my horse and as / proceeded to ascertain
the cause. it was u dreadful sight that
met my gaze. The moon shone sufficient
Iy for me to distinguish the crawling rep
tiles. Seeing my dangerous position, l
stood erect and in an entirely composed
state, not twitching a muscle. l must
have looked like one planted and petri-
fed.
Il remained In that attitude fully 20
minutes, then. as quickly as l can tell 1t,
doubled myself up securely. This / con-
Guided the wisest move. for il I attempt
ed TO run / might go into the very nest Of
the r~attlers, and ! knew that If I remain
ed perfectly quiet the creatures would
not modest me.
"IIow / longed for the gray dawn. My
brain was ablaze from mental anguish,
and the time was desperately tedious. At
last the inferior Of my catacomb dwelling
revealed slender rays of approaching day,
and. carefully securing a knife from my
pocket. / jabbed the blade through the
canvas about a quarter OF en- inch and
cautiously peered through the opening.
Fortunately there were no snakes in the
Immediate vicinity that | could discern,
though but a few feet distant | could OBJ
serve several lazily stretched upon the
ground. / concluded to take a desperate
chance, as the confinement and torture Of
mind were driving me mad. | put my
plan into action By desperately throwing
the coverings from me and was on my
feet IN q second aud running at break
nook aneAa =
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