A LEAP FOR LIFE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 179, 1 September 1876, Page 14

A LEAP FOR LIFE.

The ' Rochester Express,' June 2, says :—": — " The stream known as Pine Creek has long borne the reputation of one of the most prolific of trout streams. During the latter part of last week our townsmen Henry Morse and William. Kimball, having received favorable reports of the May fishing, started for their favorite summer quarters. After half a day's fishing they filled their baskets, and in capital spirits set out tor their lunching place. The spot chosen was a ledge of a precipitous bank of rocks, shaded by a giant hemlock tree about 30ft. above the stream, and bounded on all sides save the one facing the water and a rather narrow passageway, by an unbroken rocky wall 10 or 12ft. in height. A sufficient number of trout was soon dressed, the lunch basket taken from its place of security, and a blazing fire kindled to cook the fish. But as the heat began to increase a colony of rattlesnakes grew uneasy, and determined to investigate the cause of their disturbance. " Kimball at this time had descended from their elevated position in quest of some Bordeaux, while Morse was busy cooking the fish. The snakes, several in number, had crawled, meanwhile,

from their hiding place and were sounding the ominous rattle, familiar to man and beast alike as the certain precursor of danger ahead. But the crackling of the twigs in the fire deafened the sound. It was not until Kimball was climbing upward that he took in the situation and apprised his brother sportsman of his danger. The snakes coiled and prepared for an attack. Morse sought hastily for a way of escape, but the reptiles stood in his path, and, save the deep pool far below him, he was hemmed in on every side by a precipitous wall of rock. His face blanched with fear, but bis resolve was soon taken, and leaving rods, luncheon basket and well-filled creels, he sprang with a bound into the pool 30ft. below. Fortunately, his descent was attended with no more serious results than a thorough drenching, for the water was deep, and, being an expert swimmer, he found no difficulty in regaining a foothold on the opposite shore, on less dangerous ground. Both Morse and Kimball, by this time, concluded they had had sufficient experience for one day, and, without rods or fish baskets, with tta J bottle of claret as their only consolation, they lost no time w taking the nearest route for their hotel."