The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-08-29
Wanted--A Snake harmer
By Ward WinchsA, u S. N.
Copyright. by shor,story Pub. Co,

fully keeping his weight on the
squirming neck. All! Something was
there which mashed. but whether
head or body, he could not tell. Ex-
tending his foot further to the left.
he stamped again; evidently the body
extended to the left.
BY inches he pounded and mashed
and ground the body into the grass
as far as he could reach without lift
ing his weight from the right foot on
the neck. Evidently it was a big
snake, and the head with its deadly
venom was to the right
If he could only twist his left foot
far enough around to mash that head!
One can do this nice balancing feat
in the gymnasium, but to be treading
In the dark on slippery death. and then
attempt it-that's quite another mat
ter. Something had to be done soon,
for the cobra was exerting more and
more force. It seemed to be growing
stronger. despite the injuries he had
infiicted-or was he growing weaker!
But what was that? Oh. blessed
sound! The growing and half-sup-
pressed barking Of q dog under the
chair! 1t had seen the cobra and
was attacking 1t! He eagerly urged
his new ally with all his powers Of
canine persuasion, but It seemed 10th
to attack and remained snarling and
growing under the chair. Perhaps II
was a native dog and understood only
Hindustani. Hoping against hope,
he continued encouraging 1t by sounds
which under ordinary circumstances
would nerve timid cur to spit in the
face of bulldog.
Things were coming to q desperate
pass now, for as soon as the dog had
made himself heard, the snake had
put forth q supreme effort and had
succeeded in slipping q bit to the
right. 1t was but question Of time
when 1t would be free. Press how
he would. 1t was getting loose. Al
ready an inch or 20 had slipped away
and at any moment the head might
be 20 freed a. to be able to turn and
strike death into his veins.
Even a. this thought struck him he
felt more Of 1t slipping. Making Z
quick backward spring. he reached the
seat Of the chair, and standing there
with every nerve thrilling. he heard
the released cobra glided through tbs
grass toward the dog. which at once
stopped growing and became ominous
ly silent. Was it possible that thu
snake had killed 1t so quickly! HI
bent over. listening and vainly trying
to peer through the thick darkness
Then a happy thought came-tht
matches in his pocket.
The box was almost empty. In hi,
haste and nervousness he broke thu
first two. He lighted one by thu
four remaining. They went out i'm
mediately.
The burning head dew on one, how
ever. and by its fitful glare he had ,
vision Of the dog lying near the foo
Of the chair, with the snake coilet
around its neck. Knowing that thu
cobra is not a constructor and moi
likely to coil around the neck of it,
victim, he distrusted this feetinl
vision as an optical delusion.
For a long while he stood on thu
chair, trying to make up his mind t.
make a jump and run for the hotel
but the way led through the grass
and where there was one cobra 1t was
likely there were more. Besides hs
was unnerved. Let any one stand OF
slippery death for ten minutes and
note the effect on the nerves.
But one thing remained to do-hs
must call for help.
A few minutes later three of bill
messmates had started for him, armed
with such improvised weapons n
could be hastily secured. Bring {
light" yelled the AFFLICTED one, and al
ornamental Chinese lantern was taker
from the piazza decorations.
whats the matter, Charlie?" sale
number one. Has your cigar gone
out?''
BE careful! There's q cobra righ
under this chair. He killed dog there
just minute ago."
Nonsense" said number two. swing
ing the lantern under the chair
Here's a pup, sure enough, but he's ,
mighty lively corpse, Judging by thu
way he's chewed on that rope. Wha
h Quo vo., hoor drfpEip0 auvhow
"Oh, l didn't see him. stepped on
him right here. Look where
mashed him into the grass"
They looked. Then number thret
picked up the native rope with which
the pup was tied to the chair. II wal
loosely woven fiber, thick, soft. and
with sundry fiat places mashed into 4
where Charles heel had dug dercel,
tate 20 oDf< fovffro sThaYn,a Ynn,