Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-04
SNAKES ARE GRATEFUL
How They Rescued a Kind-Hearted Man
From the Clutches of Bear.

FROM the Clutches OF Bear.
I They were sitting around the stove
in the grocery swapping stories. The
man in the red shirt had placed him
self 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:
II have listened to your stories,
gentlemen" he said, "and l confess
that had 1 not known that you were
all men of unquestionable integrity, /
would have been compelled many times
to express incredulity. The horrify-
ing experience of our friend in the red
shirt. when he did battle with a gray
bellied ratler, reminds me of little
adventure that I hao myself with a
hoop snake, or to be more exact, with
several hoop snakes.
"You are aware, no doubt, that the
hoop snake derives it's name from its
peculiar habit of Selling its tail in
its mouth and rolling along like a
wheel or hoop. The adventure occur
red while was ut in Omaha search
AA5 LII leu vi WHICH J. AOW nave
a fine collection / was passing
through some woods, when l saw a
hoop snake and a skunk in battle.
The snake was getting the worst of the
contest. as the skunk had no trouble
In lodging its attacks, and then deliv-
ering fierce return bite. I determined
to put an end to the contest in spite
of the pleasure that their struggles
gave me. And I a once despatched the
skunk. / admit that it was not be-
cause l had any particular regard for
the snake, but all my life have had
peculiar dislike for skunks.
"The rescued snake began to show
signs of the most lavish affections, 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 l was with this discovery.
"The next day as I was passing by
the scene of my adventure, the snake
that / had rescued made unmistakable
signs that should follow it. 1t also
appeared to be in a state of abject
misery. / mad wished to ascertain the
cause of its trouble, so 1 allowed it to
lead me to a tree, where l found It's
mate in most unpleasant predica-
ment. She was suspended by the mid
die from thick branch of a vine and
in spite of her wriggling she was I'm,
able to disengage herself. I seized her
and put her on the ground, whereupOn
both snakes left me.
81 was very much surprised and
feared that 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 a circle around me, and By
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
hunting.
about a week after this I was re-
turning after particularly success
full days hunting, wien 1 met large
black bear. l was urarmed except for
my ant-taking contriVsuce, which was
wholly inadequate to overcome so
large an animal as a bear. | 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
ease. Therefore. with out further re-
Election, I fed / was rapidly distanc-
ing my pursuer when misfortune over
took me, and ] stumbled and fell. As
/ lay there, expecting any minute to
feel the bear upon me, / suddenly
heard the sounds of a furious battle. i
looked about, and there were my faith
full 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. Seeing
that their attacks were OF no avail, one
OF the snakes gave me farewell look
and hurled himself down the bears
throat. Thus the bear and snake per-
ished together. The surviving snake,
seeing that / was unable 10 rise (for
/ had injured my ankle) called four
others, and conveyed me to house,
where / was cared for"
How" said the man in the red shirt,
"were the snakes able TO take hold OF
you to raise you from the ground?"
Sir replied the little man, 1T is
obvious that if the first year was No.
l, it would take 100 complete years"
But without more ado they hurried
him OF to the bar.