Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-05-29
= : Il etrb j.
& SIN GULAR BATTL
BY LIEUT.. MAYNE REID.


There is nothing unusual in hearing the
blue Jay screaming halt the day-for it is,
perhaps, mole easily excited than any
other feathered creature. But, if you have
ever noticed, it utters very peculiar cry
when there is something unusual in the
wind. When some much-drcaded enemy
is at hand, its note becomes extremely shrill
and disagreeajIe. So it was at the time Of
which ! am speaking; and for that reason
it drew my attention, as well as that OF my
companions.
We looked towards the spot whence the
cry came. We could see the branches of
a low tree in motion, and the beautiful
Sky-blue wings Of the bird closing and
spreading again as it lluttered through them,
We could see nothing else upon the tree
that is no enemy of the bird-nor on any
of the trees near it. On lowering our eyes
to the ground, however, we perceived at
once what had set the jay to scoiding.
Slowly drawing itself along the earth, Gid
ing through the grass and over the dry
leaves, without causing even the driest of
them to rustic, went hideous Replica
snake. lis yelIowish body, dappled with
black blolches, gittered as the sun glanced
from lis fabricated scales, while it rose and
fell in wavy unduiations as it moved. 1t
moved sIowly-by vertical sinuosi'ies, al
most in direct line, with its head slightly
raised from the grass. At intervals, it stop
ped, elevated its neck, lowered It's flat, col-
fn-shaped head, like feeding swan, gent
~ osci!lated it in a horizontal direction,
touched the crisp leaves with its red tongue
as though it was feeling for trai2-and
then moved on again. In its frequent pau
ses, asit lay stretched along the ground, it
appeared cylindrical, as long as the tallest
man, and as thick as a mans forearm. It's
tail ended in horny appendage, about a
foot in length, and resembling string of
large, ypllowish, ill-shapcd beads, or por-
ton Of its own vcrtebrG stripped of the
flesh. This popularity told US its species.
We saw before us the dreaded rattesnake
the crotaiuS horriduS. w
! My companions were eager TO rush for
ward and at once attack the monster.
restrained them, dogs and all. had heard
who has not ?-of the power of fascina-
ton which these reptiles possess. knew
not whether TO believe or disbelieve it
! Here was an opportunity TO test its truth
4 Would it charm the bird We should see
One and all of US remained motionless anC
silent. The snake crawled on. ...
The bird followed overhead, pitching
itself from branch to branch, from tree tC
tree, screaming with open throat. Neither
OF them noticed US, as We were partially
concealed where we sat. r.,.g q -.
On reaching the foot of tall magnolia
the rattlcsnake-a!terg going once round th'
tree, and apparently smelling the bark
. slowly and carefully wound itself into
spiral coil, close in TO the trunk. Its body
now presented the appearance OF speck
{ led and glittering cable, as they are usual,
coied on the deck of ship. The tail
/, with its horny appendage, protruded be
meath, and the fat head peeped over above
resting upon the uppermost ring OF the bo
dy. The nictitating membrane was draw
over its eyes. 1t appeared to sleep. Thi
: thought strange, as had heard that tn
fascinating power of these creatures lay
/. the ewes. 1t soon became evident, how
I. ever, that the bird was not its object; fe
The latter, on seeing that the snake la
still, ceased its chattering, and flew of in'
!. the woods.
Believing that the interest of the seer
W. now over, | was about raising my rf