Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-15
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The Rattlesnake.

rRattlesnakes< have their antipathies. and
those known, are very strongly marked In
Texas. particularlarly between the Nueees
and the Rio Grande, the largest rattlesnakes
in the world exist, and at certain seasons of
the year it is quite dangerous to "camp out {"
without due precaution. The inhabitants
have many devices TO protect themselves,
but the most simple is encircling the place of
bivouac with the long horse-hair halter. The
snakes win never cross this magic circle. In
more northern ATTITUDES, it has been found
that the rattlesnake will not live where the
white ash grows in abundance. Ii has even
been the practice ameng hunters who trav-
erse the forests in summer, to stuff their boots
moccasins, and pockets with white ash leaves
for the purpose of securing themselves against
the snakes and it is said that no person was
ever bitten who resorted to this specific.
The ratilesnake excites a great deal OF
alarm in the deer and tits seldom that the buck
will let it escape without giving battle. Their
manner of attack is very curious and effec-
tive The buck trots round the rattlesnaks
for some time, seemingly disposed to confuse
the reptile, and then suddenly starting off vii
make a tremendous sweep, and coming neal
the snake will gather its four sharp hoofs into
a point, and then springing eight or ten fee
in the air, viii land directly upon the coils o.
the snake, and then separating its feet with
wonderful quickness and force, if the assault
has been successful the snake Is cut int
shreds.
Combats between the rattle and blacl
snakes are certain if they meet, and the blacl
snake is, with rare exceptions, the conqueror
arh OF
stantly assume their respective attitude 0
defiance. and display the great difference il
their organization The rattlesnake coil
itself up ready for attack or defense tn,
black snake, being constructor. moves abou
from side to side, and is in constant activit,
mutually exciting each Others passions
The rattlesnake finally settles down into
glowing exhibition Of animosity, its heaC
thrown back, its fangs exposed, its rattles il
constant agitation The black snake. seem
ingly conscious that the moment of strife ha
come, now commences circlIng round It's en-
envy, absolutely moving so swiftly that j
seems but CLEAN of dull light; the rattle
snake attempts to follow the movement, bu
soon becomes confused, and drops its head il
despair: then it IS that the black snake dart
upon the back of the neck Of its deadly foe
SEXES il between its teeth, and springing up
ward, envelopes the rattlesnake in its folds
The struggle, though not long, is painful
the combatants roll over in the dust, get en-
tangled in the bushes but every momen
the black snake is tightening its hold, unit
the rattlesnake gasps for breath. becomes help
less. and dies. For a while the black snak
still retains its grasp; you can perceive II
muscles working with constant energy bu
finally, it cautiously uncois itself, and quietl
betakes to the water, where recovering its en-
ergy, it dashes about moment as-if in ex
ultation, and disappears from the scene.
Of all enemies with which the rattlesnak
has to contend, except man, the hog is tn
most destructive. An old sow with lite
of PIGS to provide food for, will hunt for tn
reptile with perseverance and sagacity trul
astonishing, tracking them by their scent
their hiding places, and never letting ther
escape. In the West in early times, and no.
throughout the country. if rattlesnakes be
come troublesome in any locality, a drove {
hogs are turned into their haunts, and tn
snakes soon disappear. The hog, when
sees a rattlesnake, instantly erects its bristle
and back, and commences rafting its tusk
The snake accepts the challenge, and prepare
for defense. The old porker seems 10 under
stand what parts of its body are invulnel
able to poison, so it gets downpuon its knee
and in this awkward position deliberatel
crawls, by sideling motion, up to the enc
my. The snake darts forward and the no
dextrously catches the fangs in the fat thu
swells ont the jaws-the blow is repeated
and the hog having been smitten on on
cheek deliberately turns the other. This tn
animal continues to do until the snake ha
not only exhausted for the time being, ii
posion, but also its strength The hog the
deliberately rises from its knees, and now, re
CARELESS of consequences, seizes the serper
near the head, and putting its fore-foot upo
its squirming body, strips the reptile throug
Its teeth, and thus tears it to pieces. If tn
hog, as is sometimes the case, happens to
very lean, and the poison fangs thereby strib
the circulation, it will die from the woun
but this conjunction rarely takes place.