The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-18
HOOP SNAKES GRATEFUL.
They Rescued a Kind-hearted Man
From the Clutches Of Bear.


CNeW York SUM-
They were sitting around the stove in
the grocery swapping stories. The man
in the red shirt had placed himself in
the lead by relating the story Of the
gray-bellied RATHER. He was about to
enjoy the liquid rewards of his efforts,
when the little man in the corner, who
had heretofore remained silent,
spoke up:
Il have listened 70 your stories, gen.
tlemen." he said. "and confess that
had not known that you were az men
OF unquestionable integrity ] would
have been compelled many times TO ex-
press Incredibly. The horrifying ex-
perience Of our friend in she red shirt,
when he did battle with the gray-bel,
lied RATHER, reminds me of a little ad-
venture L had myself with a hoop
snake, or to be more exact, with sew
eral hoop snakes.
s''You are aware, no doubt, that the
hoop snake derives its name from its
peculiar habit of Selling its tail in its
mouth and rolling along like a wheel
or hoop. The adventure occurred while
was out in Omaha searching for red
ants, Of which 1 now have a fine col
lection. l was passing through some
woods when / saw hoop snake and a
skunk in a battle. The snake was get
ting the worst Of the contest, as the
skunk had no trouble in lodging its at
tacks and then delivering q fierce Re-
turn bite. / determined to put an end
TO the contest in spite of the pleasure
that their struggles gave me. And 1
at once dispatched the skunk. admit
that 1t was not because had any par
ucular regard for the snake but all
my life have had a peculiar dislike for
skunks.
1.-THE rescued snake began to show
signs of the most lavish affection to-
ward me. And it made many outward
signs OF gratitude. Upon seeing me
pick up red ant it at once conducted
me TO place where I found a horned
variety that had hitherto been I'M
known You can imagine how delight
ed | was with this discovery.
The next day, as / was passing by
the scene or my adventure, the snake
that 1 had rescued made unmistakable
signs that I should follow it. 1t also
appeared to be in a state of abiect mis-
cry. | had wished to ascertain the cause
OF its trouble, so 1 allowed it to lead
me to q tree, where I found its mate in
a. most unpleasant predicament She
was suspended by the middle from a.
thick branch Of a vine and in spite of
her Wriggling she was unable to olsen
gage herself. 1 seized her and put her
on the ground, whereupon both snakes
left me.
Il was very much surprised and
feared that 1 had offended them un-
knowingly. But presently they return
ed, attended by a large number of fol-
lowers All the snakes formed them
selves in circle around me. and bv
gesture showed me that they would be
glad to accept me as their chief and
leader 1t was little to my taste, how
ever, TO spend my life among snakes. so
left them and went on with my hunt
ing.
About week after this I was re-
turning after particularly successful
days hunting, when 1 met a large
black bear. L was unarmed except for
my ant-takinG Continuance, which was
wholly inadequate TO overcome so large
an animal as bear. 1 knew that it
would be useless TO take refuge in a
tree, because. as you all know. no
doubt, the black bears flexible fore
paws enable him TO ascend trees with
case. Therefore, without further re
necton, l fec. 1 was rapidly distanc-
ing my pursuer when misfortune over
took me and I stumbled and fell AS
] lay there, expecting any minute to |
feel the pear upon me, ] suddenly
heard the sounds of a furious battle. |
/ looked about, and there were my
faithful snakes doing battle with the |
bear. The combat was short and fierce. /
The snakes struck many times. but |
were unable to penetrate the long hair /
and thick hide Of their opponent. See /
ing that their attacks were Of no avail /
one Of the snakes gave me a farewell /
look and hurled himself down the bears
throat Thus the bear and snake per- /
ished together. The surviving snake. /
seeing that / was unable TO rise (for 1 !
had injured my ankle) called four 9th
ers. and conveyed me to a house, where
I was cared for."
"How." said The man in the red |
shirt. "Wers the snakes able TO take
hold Of you TO raise you from the
ground?" GO.
Sir" replied the little man, 1t is
obvious that if the first year was NO
IT would take 100 complete years -
But without more ado they hurried
min, or TO the bar.