The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-05-11

too many fish. berries and butter
milk, the wobbly wire bridge and the
not climb were now eliminated by
the dizzy position in which | found
myself. l lost all interest in things
terrestrial. | had not even the
strength to go back down the ladder,
nor even to hold my camera.
Carelessly tucking the latter into a
creVlce Of the rock just in front of
the ladder. l gave myself up TO mis-
cry Harper was a little dizzy him
sell, but his was ever a stronger
stomach than mine. He was not born
10 waste his breakfast on the desert
air. After watching the view a few
he politely withdrew down
the ladder, leaving me to my dis
treSS.
The worst was soon over. but |
weakly lay still, until the hot sun
reminded me that | had been there
long enough. Rising, Il started to-
wards the ladder, and was leaning
over 10 get my camera out of the
crevice where l had put it-when
Whlrr! the unmistakable warning Of
a rattle-Snake froZe me as if to stone.
Inc noise OF the cafnera as | shovel ii
under the rock had aroused the
RATHER, and now he was cOiled almost
entirely around the camera, ready TO
strike. | was completely unnerved.
My brain stood still, my muscles re
fused action. Safety was nowhere.
Ahead was the snake, barr
ing the way to the ladder; behind and
beside me was a tWo-hundred foot
drop to the rocks below Above was
the pitileSS sky. AS / stood there mo-
tiOnless, hOrrOr-Struck there came
another Whirr, this time accompanied
by a peculiar click. Though unable
to move a muscle, my brain began t
move with marvellous rapidity, anC
informed me what had happened. Tn,
RATHER, in lowering his tail after hi;
second warning, had struck the little
projecting lever-and had taken n,
picture!
Situation Tragic.
Interesting as the situation was,
was speedily becoming tragic. Sec
OndS, precious seconds were fleeing
and | was no nearer a clear though
of what | should do than when | frs
saw the snake. But his third whir
. would be his last, / kneW-then tn
= fatal stroke. Hardly knowing VIII
| did it, summoned all my energie
= for one cry to the unSuSpecting Georg
- waiting beyond the ladder.
: "George!" I yelled. At hat in
, slant the RATHER whirred a thir
= time-and hurled his yellow length
\ Just three inches short Of my fee
The spell was broken. Like a f1asi
. l leaped owe the snake, just gather
y ing himself for anOther spring, seize
the camera and raced down the stall
a two steps at a time, to Join tF
:, wondering Harper. My camera ha
: nearly cost me my life-and also ha
saved me-. It was the unWelcOn
presence of the camera 10 lou
that reused the reptile, and the can
u era too, that entangling itself in tt
u snakes coils had shortened the dead
spring by just enough.
AS soon as | could talk. / to
IL George what had happened. We we
both too unncrved to return to k
''e the snake, but thankful that ] W
&c still alive, we made our shaky W;
80 back TO Bat Cave.
After our return home | await
~ with eagerneSS the development
~ those films. Did the RATHER really la
e my picture? Imagine my delig
5. when 1 saw the accompanying phi
e tograph. I may say in confidence tn
III it does not do my handsome self ju
W tice, but it is doubtless the only o
% of it's kind in existence, and its pc
w session really compensates for t
~ agony it cost me.
Is KENNETH J.. FOREMAN.
'e August II, 1914.