Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-04-16

was in danger. / had heard nothing,
seen nothing, felt nothing, yet was
aware before / knew was awake, that
something threatened. was scarce
" an instant taking in Coombs' posi-
ton, when | caught a CLINT OF some
thing on his breast, and saw in the
dim, half light the form of huge
snake partly coiled upon the sleeper's
body with its big, horrid head lifted
just above his upturned face.
1T was the great damon rattle
snake. The beast had worked hole
In the bag and crawled under
Coombs, evidently taking him for a
log. Finding the warmth of the body
TO its liking, it had gently drawn it.
self up on the mans breast to sleep
till morning.
But something had angered it.
Perhaps Coombs had put his hand
upon the cold, fanged head. as he be-
gan to feel its weight in his sleep.
Now that head was raised, ready to
strike the hand if it moved again.
Il was paralyzed. | could not think
nor act. / could only look. Any in
slant Coombs might wake or stir.
Then one fatal flash of that poised
head! Had / been able to move,
dared not At the slightest alarm the
stroke would fall-on us both, posi-
bly,. for / was within reach.
1.-THE great, ugly head began TO
swing. slowly, at first, then more ex-
citedly 1t reeled as If drunk with
hate and revenge. The motion must
awaken Coombs. Then, suddenly, cut
ting the still aiS with sharp, SILVER
ing whirr, sounded the rattle.
without moving my lips l NUT
tered: Don't stir-you're awake,
Coombs-don't move muscle-that
diamond rattlesnake's on you The
rattle ceased; but still / muttered;
Don't move-sleep on-the beast is
over your face lie understood and
slept on. Not a tremor touched his
closed eyes. But the sweat glistened
in the moonlight.
"The sound of my own voice broke
the spell that bound me. 4 thousand
escapes dashed through my thought.
There was but one feasible-to seize
the snake by the neck before he could
bite Ny right arm was free and the
snake was within reach. but he hung
over us. on the watch, ready for any
such move.
ut was the only thing TO do, how
ever. and / was slowly bringing my
hand forward when there was snort
and a clash of teeth just beyond me.
All at once | was aware of the hard
breathing OF some large animal.
Again the clash of teeth. Without
turning my head. l saw, about ten
feet beyond ms. the CLEAN of the white
tusks of a razor-back boar. His head
was lowered till it barely cleared the
ground He stood as motionless as
though carved out of the black of the
night.
at all came over me with fash;
the snake and boar were watching
each other Both were unconscious
Of US. who or what we were. IL was
the presence of the boar that had
reused the snake. Now II was coil
and fang against hoof and tusk. They
were deadly enemies. All the fear aud
FURY in both was alive.
THE whirr of the rattle started
again; and the uplifted head, higher
now. swung faster and wider. Sud
denly the sinewy neck bent back. the
head stopped. but had scarcely poised,
when. with n hoarse cough. black
mass shot over Coomhs. tusks FLASHED
Just above his face, scattering us both
with foam. and snake and boar rolled
together down the knoll.
'The spring of the boar was as
swift as the leap of an arrow. The
tusks closed with a crunch about the
neck Of the snake; but at their touch
the thick coils flashed out and sprang
in xnotted bands about the boar's
throat.
"Down they went. both strangling
the boar paving the air in his en-
deavor to tear the tightening coil
from his neck: the snake in its death
struggle. clinching closer and closer
the one vital spot OF its powerful an
tagonist.
II never saw such a fight. II was
neck for neck-the grip Of coil against
the grip Of jaws. The snake bent it.
self 10 the throat Of the boar as one
presses the spring OF locked steel
trap. TO make II loose IFS hold. II was
furious combat. and doubtful. for
moment. which would conquer. But
only for moment. The long, hooked
tusks had crushed muscle and bone
and struck the vitals. Soon the
strangling coils relaxed and fell away.
1--WE sat there and saw the gaunt.
black beast rip the. glinting skin from
the body. and. still writhing. devour
II. We watched him. half dazed. till
he started off with every black bristie
raised. and disappeared in the gloom
Of the dark swamp. This head and
skin is all that was left. National
Magazine.
Not Her Name.
ssrrt. frouhTa with Won" the doctor