Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-29
The Rattle Snake-Hunter.
by JOHN G. WHITTIER.

since, hnd the good fortune to meet n
singular character, known in many parts
Of Vermont as the ratllesnake hunler. 1t
was wa"m, clear day Of sunshine in the
middle of June. saw him f r the frs,
time while engaged in mineralogical
ranble among lhe hills. His head was
bald, and his forehead was furrowed with
the deep lines of care and age. His form
was wasted and meager, but for the fire oil
bis eye, he might have been supposed in.
capacitated by age and infrmi,ies Tor even
slight exerlien. Ye, he hurried over the
huge ledges of rocks with quick and al.
most youthful tread, and seemed earnestly
searching amongst the crevices, and loose
crags. and stunted bushes around him.
All at once he started suddenly, drew him
self back with a sort OF shuddering recoi,
and then smote .fiercely with his staff upon
the rock before him. Another and another
blow, and he lifted the lile.ess form Of a
latiesnake upon lha end of his rod.
The old mans eyes glistened, but his
lip lrernbled as he looked steadtast uoon
his yet wrilhing victim. sAnolher Of the
accursed racer he muttered between his
clenched teeth, apparently unconscious Of
my presence. -...s..
l was now satisfied that the person was
none other than the famous rat,lesnake
hunter. He was known throughout the
neighborhood as an outcast and wander.
er, obtaining miserable subsistence from
the casual charities Of the people around
him His time was mostly spent among the
rocks and rude hills. where his only object
seemed to be the hunting out and destroy ing
Of the ra,ilesnake. Immediately deter.
mined to satisfy my curiosity, which had
been strongly excited by the remarkable
appearance the stranger-and for this
purpose approached him.
Are there many Of these reptiles in this
vicinty?' inquired, pointing TO the crush
ed serpent.
srhcy are getting TO be scarce, lifting
his slouched hat, and wiping his bald brow !;
Il have known the time when you could
hardly stir ten rods from your own door in
this part ofthe S ate, without hearing their
low, quick rattle at your oe, or seeing
their many colored bodies coiled up in your
path. Bu', as said, they are getting
scarce-,he internal race will be extinct
in few years, and, thank God! have
myself been considera BILE cause OF their ex.
Termination.
You must, Of course. know the nature of
these creatures perfectly well, said 10
you believe in their power OF fascination
or charming2 ..
The old mans conntenance fell. There
was visible struggle Of feeling within
him; his lips quivered, and he dashed his
brown hand across his eyes as ii TO conceal
tear; but quickly recovering himself, he
answered in the low: deep voice of one
that was about to reveal some horrible
secret
| believe in the rail snakes power
of fascination. as firmly as believe in
my own existence. A
Surely, said |, you do not believe that
they have power, over human beings.
know It to be so! ard the old man
trembled as he spoke. You .are n s,ran.
ger to me, he said slowly, after scrutiuiz.
ing my features for moment, but if you
will go with me to The foot Of this rock in
The shade there, and he pointed to group
ofIeaning oaks that hung over The ncclvi.
ty, will tell you q strange sad story Of
my own experience .e-.-s a.
|. may be supposed that | really assen,ed
to this proposal. Beslowing one more
blow upon the ra,tesnake, as if TO be Ger.
tain of its death, the old man descended
the rocks with rapidity that would have
endangered the necks Of less prac:iced hun.
lers. Altar reaching the place which he
pointed out, the rattle.snake hunter COM
menced his story in a manner which con-
firmed what had previously heard of his
education and intellectual strength.
| was nmong the earliest settlers in This
part of the country. | had just finished
my education at Harvard, when | was in
ouced by The fatterng representations e
some of the earliest pioneers into the wild
lands beyond the Connecticut, 10 seek my
fortune in the new settlement. My wife
the old mans eye glis,ened for an instant,
and then tear crossed his brown cheek
my wife accompanied me, young and deli
cate and beautiful as she was, to this wild
and rude country. | never shall forgive
myself for bringing her hitler! never.
Young man, continued he, you look like
one who could pity. You shall see the
image the girl who followed mo 10 the
new country. aez.-s
And he unbound, as he spoke. ribbon
from his neck, with small miniature at
tached 10 it. 1t was that of a beautiful te-
male, bu, there was an almost childish ex-
preston in her countenance, softness, a
delicacy, and sweetness of smile, which
have seldom seen in the features Of those
who have tasted even slightly the bitter
waters of existence. The old man watched
my coun,enance intently, as | surveyed
the image Of his early love.
She must have been very beautiful, !
said, as returned the picture.
Beautiful! he replied, you may well say
so. But this ayails nothing have a
fearful story to ,ell-would 10 God had
not attempted it; bu: | will go on. My
heart has been too often stretched on the
rack of memory to suffer any new pang.
xtyH~ Ia rari1nd in tho paw caunfrV