The daily Alaskan., 1905-05-16
RETRIBUTION
IorirlnaLl

The great Amcrican ueSett is Nhe home of queer people and queer things generally. With us the rattlesnake is the most dreaded of reptiles but out there they have what they call tbe ella monster. that Is more terrible than inc rattler. Its bite Is almost certain death, and men have been known to end their lives with a revolver rather than endure the agony resulting from a Gna bite. When I went out there had never heard of Gila, but after l had seen one and its effect never wanted to see another.
 One afternoon while riding past house. or rather. hut, belonging to one of the herders of a ranch near by ! heard clatter and, turning, saw a man come galloping down the road. A child about two years old had just come out of the house and was toddling across the road. The horseman paid no attention to 1t. I thought he didn't see the little fellow, but he did Tor just before reaching him he gave a whoop, cutting at him at the same time with his quirt The child, too young to heed, stopped to pick up some thing that pleased Its baby fancy. The horseman rode straight over him.
 The boys mother came 10 her door just in time to see what had occurred. With q shriek she rushed 10 her child, picked him up and ran with him into the house I would have followed to administer to her, but there were oth- CTS with her, and, to tell the truth, l had no heart for the work. The man rode on to saloon farther up the road where he dismounted and went inside
 I have never felt so ashamed of my self for emitting to do what honor seemed Co call for as In this case. In the east I would not hesitate to protect a lady from a rufiian, yet here was a woman whose child had been purpose ly trampled before her eyes, and l did not raise a hand Co avenge her. But what could I do2 Any interference on my part must result either in my death or that of the man who had committed the outrage.
 I reported the matter to the owner or the ranch, who told me that the boys father was in his employ and was then away herdmg cattle. There was feud between him and the man, a worthless and desperate vagabond who had ridden down the child to avenge some fancied injury. When the father re- turned one or the other would doubt less bite the dust
 And if the father falls there will be two victims Instead of one" I re- marked.
 We cant help that out here" re- piled my informant There's too little law to cover such cases"
 The next morning while riding over the plain came uponthe childs moth CT. She carried a stick and a coarse bag and was evidently looking for something. I did not see her face, for her back was turned. Suddenly saw her raise the stick and strike at some thing on the ground. In a few mo ments she picked up what resembled a young alligator, holding it by the up of the tail, dropped 1t In the bag. tied up the bags mouth and carried her burden away, holding 1t apart from her. Then she turned and came toward me. I would have liked to ask her what she had been about but there was look In her face that decided me not to question her, and she passed on without seeming to be aware Of my presence.
 Curiosity got the better of me, and l turned and followed her. She went tc the saloon up the road, and before reaching 1t I saw man asleep on the porch, though could not see who he was. The woman drew near bih stealthlly, pausing occasionally, with her eye fixed on him, till at last com ing upon him from point where he could not see her, she united the mouth of her bag, held 1t above him, and the alligator thing 1t contained fell on his breast.
 The man started up and on seeing what had awakened him gave a cry as piercing, as full of despair, as had been given by the woman when hel child was run down. saw him strug gling with something that had fastened upon one of his hands and finally throw 1t from him. It crawled away, and saw 1t no more. The woman turned and walked toward her home.