The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-17
ssIntO the Prinitive''

over the flower-and In the sam'
instant he saw a huge, vivid coil
all black and green and yellow
flash up out of the bedded leaves
and strike against the girl. Sh'
staggered back, screaming will
horror, yet seemed unable to run
Winthrope swung up his sticl
and dashed across the glade to
wards her.
"What is ia shaker" h,
cried.
In a moment Winthrope was
near enough to make out the bril-
liant glistening body, now ex
tended full length in the grass
1t was nearly five feet long ant
thick as his thigh. Another steT
and he saw the hideous triangular
head, lifted a few inches on the
thick neck.
Snake! snake!" he yelled, and
thrust his cane at the reptiles
tail.
Again came a flashing leap OF
the beautiful ornate coil. and the
stick was struck from Winthrope's
hand. He danced backward, wild
with excitement.
"Snake!-Hi, Blake, monster!
Run, Miss Leslie!"
Blake came sprinting down the
glade.
"Wow!" he yelled. puff ad.
der! I'll fix him."
He leaped back and thrust his
bow at the snake. The challenge
was met by vicious lunge. With
the flash of the stroke, Blake's
right foot thrust forward, and his
club came down with alFthe drive
of his sinewy arm behind 1t. The
blow fell across the thickest part
of the adder's outstretched body.
Told you SO! See him wiggle.'
shouted Blake. Broke his back
first lick-What's the matter
Miss Jenny? He can't do any.
thing now" POI al
Miss Leslie did not answer
She stood rigid, her face ashy
gray. her dilated eyes flxed dpor
the writhing, Kissing adder.
Il think the snake sfrucl
Fher!" gasped Winthrope. Sudden.
ly overcome with horror. & =.
Heavens. cried Blake. He
dropped his club, and rushed tt
the girl. In a moment he hat
knelt before her and flung up hel
leopard-skin skirt. Her stock
ings ripped to shreds in his fran
tic grasp. There, a little below
her right knee, was a tiny rec
wound. Blake put his lips to it
and sucked with fierce energy.
Then the girl found her voice
Go away-go away! How dare
you!" she cried as her face flush,
ed scarlet.
Blake turned, spat and burs
out with loud demand of Win
thrope: Quick! the little knife
I'll have to slash 1t. Ten time.
worse than a rattlesnake-Lord
you're slow-I'll use mine!''
Let go of me-let go!' eriet
the girl. struggling to free her
Hold still, you little fool!'
he shouted. Its death-sur,
death, If l don't get the poison
from that bite!"
I'm not bitten-Let go, say
It struck in the fold of m.
skirt"
For Heavens sake, Jenny
don't lie! It's certain death!
saw the mark"
THAT was thorn. I drew
out an hour ago."
Blake looked up into her haze
eyes. They were blazing with in
dignant scorn. He freed her, an,
rose with clumsy slowness. Agail
he glanced at her quivering, scar
let face, only to look away wit
sheepish expression.
Il guess you think I'm Just
damned meddlestpme idiot" h
mumbled.
She did not answer. He stoo
for a little, rubbing a finge
across his sun blistered lips. Sud
denly he stopped and looked a
the finger. 1t was streaked wit
blood.
"Whew!" he exclaimed. "Didn'
stop to think of that! It's jus
as we'll for me, Miss Jenny, tina
wasn't an adder bite. A littl
Ipoison on my sore lip would hav
done for me. Ten to one, we
both have turned up our toes a
the same time. OF course
though, that'd be nothing t
you" -qnu
Miss Leslie put her hands b,
fore her face. and burst into hy'
terical weeping.
Blake looked around, far NOR
ALARMED than when facing the ad
der. 1ot
Here, you blooming iud." h
shouted; take the lady ava,
and be quick about 1t. Il She'll &
dotty IL she sees any more snak
stunts. Clear out with her. Will
1 smash the wriggler."
"I-er-to be sure." VIII
thrope stammered, ands -dartin
around to the hystericabI girl. h
took her arm and hurried he
away up the glade.
They had gone several pace
when Blake came running up be
hind them. WINTHROP locke
back with glance OF inquir,
Blake shook his head.
| mot yet," he said. Give m