The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-06-14

carefully where l was to alight before l
left the saddle.
We were nearing the base of a small
mountain that rose several hundred feet
above the level Of the plain.
Home of the Rattlcrs.
That" he explained, lis Thunder Butte,
where the ~rattlers for fifty miles around
gather 20 hibernate. You see that cave
half way to the top, we'll that is where We
are headed for. Come on and away he
went.
1 would nave given a hundred dollars
to have been back n the station at that
moment, but 1 did not want to show the
white feather so I clinched my teeth to
keep them from chattering and started.
We walked side by side at rather 81 slow
pace to give the reptiles time to get out
of our way, he guarding one side and
the other to protect ourselves against any
that might be coiled to strike. We We're
obliged to dispatch at least a dozen before
reaching the base OF the mountain.
AS gazed up the declivity we We're to
ascend my heart sank within me. There
We're snakes, snakes, everywhere. nothing
but snakes, and the vicious rafting they
set up on our approach chilled the blood
in my veins.
Arizona did not hesitate but went ahead
striking here and there at any that had the
t~einerity to protest against our invasion
OF tnelr territory. WIN an cNIdtllt iciE7i
and entire absence of fear. His conduct
gave me courage and we literally fought
our way to the cave.
He was the first to reach IT. After
quickly CHANGING down into it's depths he
turned 10 me. Look in there if you
want to see snakes" he said.
l approached tie edge and looked down.
The sight l saw there / shall never efface
from my memory
The sun had reacted a point IN the heav-
ems where 1t threw direct rays to the very
bottom. Lighting up the whole interior.
4 The floor was entirely covered. to what
depths I could not conjecture, with a
writhlns, squirming mass of reptiles, that
rose and fell in fluctuations like a sneth-
ing vessel as they ~wrlgs.ed about raising
and waving their heads languidly to and
fro. Some We're co;led in great balls :wo
and three feet in diameter from which
protruded dozens of heads that oscillated
like the waving wa!Als OF imps from the
internal regions.
Sight is Repulsive.
With horror and stupefaction I gazcd
spell-bound into tho abyss unable to d.
vert my eyes from tie repulsive sight. a
sickening vapor rose from the Shiny mass
that nu1nbed my senses and l was unable
to move. a stone loosened by my fee,
fell into the cavern. A hundred vipers III
their fury attacked it and made the all
culver with their rattllng. Soon a larger
piece fell and | discovered to my horror
that the ground was giving away be.
meath nc. | tried to c%Ntricate myself but
was power!ess to move IL muscle. / en-
deavored to call for help. but could no
utter a sound. TIL terror of my situation
WIS indescribable / felt myself nkin
when a heavy hand g-2sped my shoulder
and | was dragged back just as the GROUND
| was standing upon gave away.
Half recovered from my stupor, l stood
few minutes later Il short distance from
the cave when Arizona called to me to TOOL
out. Swish went his stick and at my fee
lay q monster snake that he had laid low
just as it was In the attitude to strike.
With a bound | leaped over the squirm
ing form and started down the mountain
with the speed of a gaZellc and did no
s%lacllcn my pace until l reached my horse
Leaping into the saddle l put spurs to hir
heading for the station with all the spec
possible and not until l had cleared tn
zone of danger and the poor animal WA