Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-03-15
nj | S G K l. i A N Y .
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES.
RATTLEsNAKE ON a S-EAM
BOAT.

Shortly before the usual time for vending nv
way north to the medical lectures, an opportunity
offered me by an nrenious negro, who had
caught the reptile asleep, Of exchanging we'll
worn blanket coat and two dimes, principally in
cash. for as fine specimen Of the Rattlesnaae as
ever delighted the eye ear of MISUNDERSTANDING
inches across the small of the back six feet seven
Fights OF an inch in length, eyes like gobular light
ming, coloIs gaudy as an Arkansas girls apron,
twenty rattes, and great propensity TO make
them heard, were the strong points of my pur-
chase.
Designing him as propitiatory offering to one
OF the professors, my next care was TO furnish him
with fitting habitation. Nothing better present
ing itself, made him out of pine box, origi-
nay designed for Shoes by mailing thin stats trans
versely, 50 neither to exclude air vision but
sufficiently close, thought, to prevent him from
escaping. The day for my departure arrived, and
had his snakeship carried ON board the boat des-
tined to carry me to Vicksburg, where would
take the next Ohio steamer
Unfortunately for the quietude of my pet, on the
Yazoo boat was young Cockney lady. who hear
Ing that there was live rattesnake ON board, al
lowed her curiosity TO overcome her maiden diff
dence sufficiently to prefer request that the young
doctor ''would make the hanmal oer pa pro-
cess which the proverbal abstemiousness of the
''hanmal," when in confinement, was accom-
! p!iShing rapidly, without any intervention on my
part. Pollteness wouldn't allow me to refuse and
as it was considerable OF novelty to the passen.
gers his snakeship was kept constantly stirred up
and his ratles had very little rest that trip.
| The steamer at length swung alongside of the
whari-boat at v, and, transferring my bag
gage, lounged about until the arrival Of boat
would give me an opportunity of proceeding. The
contents of the box were quickly discovered, and
the snake had to undergo the same infections as
the day previous, until thoroughly vexed, | made
them deslst, and resolved thenceforth would con-
ceal his presence, and allow him to travel as com
mon baggage.
'The shades Of night were falling fast" as the
steamer Congress came booming along, and after a
stay OF few minutes for passengers, proceeded on
/ her way-obtalning none, however, but myself.
! The snake box was placed with the other baggage
on the cabin deck, in front of the '.sCcial hall -
jam up, as luck would have it, against one of the
chlmneys, making the location unpleasantly warm.
1t was bright, luminous night in the autumn.
/ The clear cToupy cough of the steamer was echoed
back in prolonged aSthmatic strains from the dark
woods lining the river like an army of cowled gi-
gantlc monks, come from their cells TO see steam
| boat Supper was over, and the beauty Of the
night had enticed the majority of the passengers
from the cabin to the open decks.
goodly number, myself among the rest, were
seated i'll front Of the social hall, smoking our CT
gars and swapping yarns of all climes, sizes, ma
/ tons, and cOlors.
| Sitting few yards from me, the most promi
nent parsonage of the group, smoking his regalia
and RECALLING the crowd with the manner in which
/ he choked a cobra de Copella" to death. tina
! crawled into his hammock in India, was an old En-
glsh sailor, who, from his own account, had saileC
all over the world, and through some paris Of it.
Weighing the words down with heavy balas
OF oaths, he said ne wasn't afraid OF any thing il
the snake line, from the sea serpent down 10 thu
original snake that tempted Eve. | asked him
he had ever met the Tattlesnake since lie had beer
in America, thinking would put his courage t.
the test on the morrow.
"Seeu rattlesnake! Yes, enough TO sink
seventy -four Went to Georgia on purpose to XII
them Pshawl To think man that had kileC
boa constructor in fair fight, should be afraid q
little noisy fllr of a snake, that never grew big
ger round than marnspke"
At this moment, the boat was running ben
neaf in shore, and the glare Of huge fire at
wood yard was thrown directly under the chair c
the braggart, when, to my utter amazement, ] ga,
there, snugy coiled up, the huge proportions Of m
snake
was so Mortified and astonished, L could nethe
speak nor move I had left him securely fastene
in his cage-and yet, there no was at liberty, /