Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-03-11

I loaded the rifle. an unexpected and ter
rible thing had happened. The boa, under
the vehement blows of Resurrection
launched It's head directly toward the
senorita. Don Simplicio had tried vainly
to lift her limp weight though the whole
raft was n cage for US, and now, weapon
less as he was, stepped towards the ad.
~vancing snake. | had clutched the car
tridges from Harrison's hand and was slip
ping them into the rife, taking time against
iamming, knowing that it was life and
death, when the little mayor of Palma,
with the mouth of the python gaping all
but in his face, struck at 1t with his bare
fist, which In a twinkling was pulled far
into the horrible. slavering cavity.
He seized at something within 1t, as II
he would tear the boa's tongue out by the
roots. The serpent pulled back its head and
Don Simplicio was dragged a few feet by
1t. The gigantic coils began to gather to
embrace him.
My rife was ready, but his admonition
to fire at its head could not be followed
At a yard | sent three bullets into its
shifting body. Don Simplicio was strug.
Cling violently to free his hand, and al
last 1t came out from the gaping mouth
pierced and bloody and grasping In Its
fingers a row of tiny, pointed teeth. The
presidente fell back, exhausted.
Released, the boa turned towards me, and
| retreated, firing now at its head. II
writhed madly at the terrific shock OF the
steel, twisting its wounded body in all di
re%ctions, and biting blindly at the bamboo
noor. Another shot, and It crashed against
the cart, which in impotent rage ii knocked
overheard and with 1t the cochero who had
remained for safety inside. Then with
Harrison also firing at 1t. the python slid
into the water and disappeared, riddhd
with bullets.
With the swapping Of the tension of ap-
palling danger, we all on the raft collapsed
In reaction for a quarter of a minute, and
as abruptly returned TO the new aspect OF
life. | rushed to Dor Simplicio. who stood
staring at his bleeding hand and Its dire
treasure troye. Resurrection, while Pepe
improvised a pole from the remnants OF
the stall, steered the balso towards where
the cochero might be, but without avail
We saw him far ahead, holding on to the
cart, which caught in the current, was
whirling Town the river. doubted MOI
that he would climb into 1t and 90 to sleep
Harrison. with implacable hatred in his
eyes, and his ammunition box now open
before him, fred at any long, slim object
In hope of wreaking further vengeance or
the python. lnez had been brought to full
consciousness by the defamation OF the guns
and the crash Of the cart over the side. She
sat up and drew Don Simplicio to the floor
she wept as she held his lacerated hand.
took our first aid kit from our bag and
cleansed and bandaged his wounds. He
.Sb to Win Teiucldnce the trophy ne ha1
brought from the serpent's %mouth-a bony
band on which were set small sawlikf
teeth. Many missing from this semicirclt
we're inbedded in his palm and fingers.
Don Simplicio was otherwise unlnjured
though pale, and In more pain thar be
avowed. lie remained as cool and dignifed
as ever. He refused the brandy | offered
MN, but made Inez take a few drops.
Il got hold Of his upper row Of dientes.'
ne said with a grim smile. 81 had to pull
them out or be dragged into his jaws. The
plton has his teeth on n detachable hone
Tor yielding them In such an emergency
is not the sandspit In sight2 There | car
fnd a hanca to take me across the river
where the raft cannot land, to the Ameri
can army post. The American doctor there
VIII extract the brute's teeth. Or maybe :
dentist might do. They are not poisonous
The piton kills only by crushing"
lnez would not smile at his pleasantries
hut said over and over again, 20, Dor
Simpliclo, you saved my lifel That pitor
would have killed me-. | saw his. eyes, like
Satan's fixed on me. | thought | was in
his coils. | thank youi / thank you ~
| reproved Harrison, who was still Idl,
shooting, for wasting our precious car
tridges. My caution caused him to con
front the two carriers, who we're standfnt
~forlorn by their empty basket.
jumping Eliza !" he said 10 me, "wha|
In the hell did these idiots hiring a live hos
constructor on this raft for? Did Dor
Simplicio know about IN lie told us tn,
basket held jungle produce"
lie shook the bigger Of the two carga