Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-02
Combat with a RattIesnake.

A correspondent OF tne Eulaula Aia'
News, writing from Clopton, in that State,
relates the following as having come un'
der his own observation:
Last Saturday morning ] was the wit
ness of, such scene as | pray God |
may never see again. i beheld com
bat between young man and rattle
snake, in which the former was bitten
and died in about ten minutes. The
particulars of the terrible affair are as
follows:
On Friday last young man named
Graynor asked me to spend the night
with him, and go coon-hunting the. next
morning, to which request readily as
sented. We started out about three
O clock am, and near day the dogs
opened on trail in the swamp of Bear
Creek. just after sunrise the deep bay
ing of the dogs informed us that the
game had taken tree. We proceeded to
take our way through the bogs and
tangled brush vines in the direction OF
the dogs, until we came to a small space
of firm ground which was covered with q
low growth of oak bushes. Here we
halted moment to listen for the dogs
We had barely paused when we were
startled by loud, strange. rattllng
sound issuing from beneath low, thick
bush, within few feet of us. Though |
had never heard that peculiar noise be-
fore | knew instinctively that it was a
rattlesnake, and | sprang back in ter
ror, remarking, "Graynor, let us leave
here.
afraid?"
"Yes, said /, II am afraid"
"Well, s." he cody remarked,
81 am gong to kill the snake. 1t would
be q pity to leave such a fine fellow here.
SO, here goes" .,
While Graynor was speaking | caught
a glimpse of the snake, which, as nearly
as could judge, appeared to be about
eight feet in length aud three inches in
diameter in bis larger part. He was "
ing coiled up IN perfect circles, with
his head drawn back in terribly grace
full curve, his small black eyes sparkling,
his slender forked tongue darting swiftly
back and forth, and his brown neck swol-
len with fatal wrath, while ever and anon
he tUirled the warning rattles in the air
with harsh, bioqd-cHrdling sound.
For Gods sake, lets 60 saia !,
shuddering at the terrible sight
"Don't get scared, said g.; just
climb a tree, and he won't bite you. 1t
ain / every dag .4at 2 fellow meets such
a Ane large snake as This, and il weal a9
to lose him.
He had picked up a small stick about
ysfl long, and while speaking was
drawing back the bushes from above the
snake so as TO get sight of him. de
threw his foot around over the bushes,
and tramped them down in such man
nsr that the monster was fairly exposed
70 view; but just as he did so, and before
he had time to strike, the snake made a
sudden spring at him, and ] turned my
face away in horror. The next moment
Graynor exclaimed, Tive got him, by
George. Il
| turned to look, and with his right
hand he was grasping the snake by the
neck in such a manner that he could not
bite, while the monster was gnashing his
teeth most fnriously and twisting and
writhing in huge folds around q. arms.
All Of a sudden, in some unaecountable
manner. the snake freed his head, and
quick ns lightning plunged his deadly
fanes into g & right cheek, when, drop
ping on the ground, he glided few PAGES
and again cooled himself Up, keeping his
head erect and Ringing hisfearful ratties-
@. turned deathly pale, paused moment