A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



attract my attention. I spoke to the bird, 

 and immediately it flew to the old wall on 

 the opposite side of the road. I went over, and 

 saw the tail of a black snake hanging from the 

 Hunting wall. I firmly grasped the tail, but could 

 not pull the snake from between the rocks. 

 I thought of a plan to get the reptile out. 

 I pushed the tail into the wall, and when the 

 snake had loosened his hold, by a strong pull 

 I could gain a few inches. Twenty minutes' 

 hard work brought the snake out so I could 

 grasp him by the neck. He coiled around my 

 arm with such power as to stop the circulation. 

 It reminded me of a wire rope tightened by 

 machinery. I unwound the coils and took 

 my captive to a large dry-goods box. I made 

 a cage out of another box by putting wire 

 netting over the top. I placed the box on its 

 side on some stakes, and introduced the snake. 

 He tried every inch of that box and netting 

 for means of escape. Two hours later he 

 settled down for a good long sleep, and when 

 he awoke he appeared contented. I offered 

 him food, but he would not eat. For a month 

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