The Perilous Bathing of the Seattle Snake-House

The keeper’s door is the end of the hall, and there, sliding back the glass panel at the top, I put my arm boldly in and felt my way down the back of the nearest reptile. When I got hold of its snake-vessel, the door opened. I held it with my right hand firmly round the neck, and then the body quickly out, caught it in my hand lower down with my left hand, the other man taking the remainder and closing the little door. The reptile squirmed a great deal, as if objecting to such handling, but was quietly deposited in the tub. As the water touched the snake, a perceptible quiver ran through it. For a few seconds it coiled and uncoiled itself faintly, dashing the water about, and then seemed to settle down to placid enjoyment of the bath, struggling no longer.

It was a risky business, I learned later, and the keeper rather assented to that opinion. The regular keeper was taken sick and died. The day for bathing the snakes came round, and no one could be found to do it. Two days went over, and then I thought I would have a try. I had been feeding them for a year or more and was pretty well used to them. On this particular day, I did not notice the little door wasn't properly latched. As soon as I did notice it, I let go of the body of the one I was holding and by a fortunate shot grasped the other just below the head. The one in my left hand had coiled his body round my arm, and, soothed by his bath, was quiet and comfortable; but the other was taking up all of my spare time. He writhed and twisted until I could scarce hold him, straining the coil round my thigh very tightly. He had also struck a turn of his tail to my other leg, so that I could not move a step. My fingers ached and my wrist felt like breaking, while the circulation in my leg nearly stopped. Presently a feeling came over me that I did not mind much how it ended, and I felt inclined to give up then and there. In fact, my fingers were relaxing when I heard a step outside, and my man came in. A glance told him the state of affairs. He had the one off my arm and into the case in the twinkling of an eye.