Year: 1879

TWO of the early pioneers of Colorado happened to meet in Denver, and, as a natural consequence, the conversation turned on early experiences and adven- lures. As both parties are noted hunt CTS and guides, their stories related principally to the killing of unusual game or the finding or losing of some mountain trail, intermixed with person. al adventures and hardships and other interesting incidents. But the story that produced the most thrilling effect upon the auditors was a snake story, and as both parties vouched for the truth there of it would be highly indecorous in a Neaos reporter to suggest any doubt as to its literal correctness. And thus the story was told by "The Major" "Jim and l started out in the mountains early one morning after black-tailed deer. W had no luck up to noon, and then found ourselves on the side of precipitous mountain. The trail was wide and plain, and we soon came to a spring that had burst it's way out of the solid rock Here we both stopped to get drink. I used the cup first and then handed it to Jim. He drank and stepped off side ways to take look down the side of the mountain and in the valley, As he stood thus his shoulders reached to a level with a shelf of the lock which projected forward some litt.e distance over the trail. AS l rose up from the spring something attracted my attention to this rocky shelf, which was only few inches 1t- H. L.. herewith. To my horror 1 saw there on an immense rattlesnake. The horri- ble reptile was all coiled, his eyes were snapping, his forked tongue protruding, and everything indicating an immediate spring. Jim stood perfectly stolid and utterly unconscious of the slightest dan ger. Any motion on his part, even the slightest, I knew would be instantly fatal. What to do I could not think. dared not call nor shoot. Everything depended upon his remaining perfectly still. After seconds further reflection (and the time seemed an age) 1 dropped softly down so as to be out of sight of the reptile. l then moved like shadow toward my unconscious friend. Breath ICSSIS l "dlClleu IIlIil llOul ledl llldl any second he would make some slight movement of head or body, and any mo- tion l knew meant death. Soon I was near enough to feel that I could get a firm hold. Without another thought or the slightest word or warning l then grasped Jim by the arm and side and brought him heavily down with crash upon the trail and among the fiinty rocks. As I did this I saw what seemed flash of light dart out from the rocky the reptile But my friends neck was not where the snake had hoped, and Jim was safe"

 And what did Jim say when you flung him down in that style?" said one of the auditors.

 "He commenced abusing me in the meanest sort of way" replied the major, "till 1 made him stand up and look at that shelf in the rock When he saw that, and the snake as well, and saw, too, how near he had been to horrible death, he turned around and took my hand; but he didn't say anything more, because he couldn't speak. But then we understood each other, didn't we, Jim?"

 "You bet, Maior," replied Jim; "and I've always felt kind O bad because never have been able to do you as kind a turn as that you did to me; but don't give up meaning to keep trying, MaJor. !" .-DenUer (COI.) Neacs.