Snakebit

SNAKEBIT......................................... Steve Hugus, 20 Nov 1996

Jake and Bill were pushin’ cows up toward the Great Divide,
when Jake reined up, his bladder full, dismounted from his ride.

He found a place, out of the wind then aimed it toward the brush,
and enjoyed the great relief of a urinary flush.

But a rattler rested ‘neath the sage that Jake by chance did spray,
and the swiftness of the rattler is still talked about today.

Offended by the shower and a rattler at its worst,
with lightning speed he struck and bit the part he came to first.

Jake grabbed his Colt and shot him twice without a second spent,
then realized with grave concern - he’d been bit right where he went.

He called to Bill, said "I’ve been bit" and told him where it struck,
"Ride into town and fetch the Doc, before I’m out of luck."

Bill spurred his horse, raced into town, and found old Doctor Bly.
He merely said his friend was bit and without help he’d surely die.

Doc Bly heard Bill’s plea, but said "You see I can’t come now.
I’m busy here at Jone’s place doing a C-section on this cow."

"You can save your friend from the rattler bite with a tourniquet of denim,
just cut two little X’s and then suck out all the venom!"

Bill thanked the Doc and spurred his horse back out to where Jake lay,
and thought about the process Doc described to him that day.

Jake saw Bill come ridin’ up. "What’s the word from Doctor Bly?"
Bill cleared his throat, took off his hat. "He says you’re gonna die!"