Arizona republican., 1901-09-23
TALE OF THE BIG SANDY
Description of the First American
 Snake Dance in Arizona.

Hassayampa P. O., Between the two Dams that were. Sept. 20. 1901.
 MT. Snake Editor: It has been rather warm up here and as Judge Barnes would not allow me a check nor a third-rate diploma for my last truthful snake experience I became morose and dispirited about the snake business. But with the fresh breezes of the Hassayampa flaming my brow that tired feeling has departed and my long ing to become immortal for truthful ness and recording incidents of the past that have been heretofore neR- lected has returned and feel 1t Is m solemn duty to again enter upon my career and tell what happened to young and ambitious professor just fresh from college and very enxious n see one of Arizona's noted rattlers.
 He was a fine fellow and handsome ly logged out with some kind of u hat that protects the brain and helps to cool it off. also an eyeglass to whicn was attached Il string. The glass was used to assist in close inspection while his left eye was held in reserve to be used when not in company. He also carried his tight fitting riding gar ments drawn over his neither limbs, and from the knees down including and en- casing his calves closely. so that they the calyex-wouid not lead him astrav. A nice Piccadiily collar accompanied his polka-dot neck tie. Also fine frilled bosom shirt covered his manly breast. over which he wore highly fashionable evening dress vest. Also enveloping his manly form was the proper thing. linen duster. Foot gear. of course. really correct and to the point.
 Well, this thing mounted upon fiery caytse mustang with spurs that jinsled their music in the evening air. rode up to Nick's ranch, situated upon the Big Sandy in Mohave county, and was cordially welcomed by Nicks pro verbal hospitality. We spent the eve ming most entertainingly as the pri-.- cipal topics consisted of questions by the professor in such rapid succession that it kept both Nick and myself busy in answering. Occasionally he would pause to tell us all about what we should do as well as remind us that he must surely be favored with a view If a diamond back rattler. We finally re- tired about Il o'clock and during the balance of the night in my sleep l was trying to catch up in my answers to his questions.
 Morning found us out early, partic- ularly Nick and myself as we had q. little affair up the arroya, where Mex and I assembled for our morning devo- tions which consisted of our rolling over very large tumble weed and and pulling out of another bush piece of hollowed cane stalk about two feet long. then getting humbly down on our knees proceeding to pull out a half inch plug from another plug nearly two inches in diameter and about twenty inches long which was attached to a bunghole in a ten-gallon keg of Cali fornia grape brandy. We would solemn ly assume the Mahommedan attitude of humility and draw inspiration from orr god Bacchus which was buried in the earth deep from the vulgar gaze of worldly mortals. After services were over we felt and congratulated each other on our close and regular atten- tion to spiritual affairs.
 The call for breakfast called us back from our morning devotion to partake of sumptious meal consisting of chile con carne, carne saco con coldo, frijoles. pan caliente and Arizona cream butter. After finishing our meal Nick conclud- ed that he would ride down to Green wood camp on he Big Sandy. He asked the professor if he would like to join him. and mentioned that it was re- markedly good section in which to find damond backs. The professor was pleased with ard a~cepted the pTopos- tion. Mounting their horses they started on their journey. but did not travel over three hundred yards before Nick espied a fine specimen of his snakeship stretched crc~swise of the road in front of them. He halted and pointed it out to the professor. where upon they both dismounted- Nick sig nailed to me to come to them and I did so. The professor left his horse in care of Nick and on foot went on to inter view his znakeship. MT. Snake ob- serving operations and apparently tc favor his interviewer. deliberately com menced folding himself with the dig nifty of a woman of fashion winding herself up en train. The professor with eyeglass stuck in his face. Wa: hopping and skipping here and there around the snake. Tn the meantlni, the snake set his music box ct worl which so entranced the professor tha Nick warned him to be careful or Mc snake would nip him before the j;s was up. The professor. too self re liant. needed not the warning. Mel said to me in an undertone "I bet tha damned fool--'' but he never finished the sentence. for just then the rattle let drive. head end on, and fanged tn professor's shirt front about four inche below the collar button and hung fast To describe the scene correctly Is.
 believe. an impossibility. and if if hat been the only means of saving the pro