The weekly standard., 1870-08-10

IClOpton Correspondent Oi tue Eulala NcWs.l
A Fight with a MISUNDERSTANDING
in an Alabama Swamp-Attackins a
RattIesnake Eight Feet Long-A Dcs-
perate Fight-Death of the Human
Combatant.
Last Saturday morning was the witness
OF such Il scene us pray never to see again.
l beheld combat between young man and
a rattlesnake, in whichthc former was bit
ten, and died in ten minutes thereafter. The
particulars OF the terrible affair ale as follows;
On Friday last l. young. man named Gray
nor asked me to spend the night with him
and 60 coon hunting with him the next
morning, to which request readily asseUted.
| We started out about 3 o'clock IA. H., and
near day the dogs opened on d trail in the
swamp OF Bear Creek. Just after sunrise
| the deep baying ut dogs informed us that
the game had taken tree We proceeded
to make our way through the bogs and
tangled brush and vines IN the direction of
| the dogs. until VIC came to d small space of
firm gruund, which was covered with low
growth of oak bushes. Here we halted Il
moment to listen for the dogs.
We had barely paused. when we were start
led by u loud, strange rattlins sol:nd issu-
ing from beneath a low, thick hush, within
few feet of rs. Though | had never
heard the peculiar noise before, knew ill.,
stinctively that it was rattiesnake, and
sprang back in terror, remarking, "Graynor,
let's leave here"
"What, s." said he. 'arc YOU
afraid?
YES" said l, Il an afraid
| IsIValI pnnlly romorLn,i
am going to kill the snake; 1t would be a,
pity to leave such II fine fellow here. So
here goes.
While Graynor was speaking. l caught q
glimpse of the snake, which, as nearly as
could judge, appeared 10 be about eight feet
in length, and three inches in diameter in
his larger part. He was lying coi!ed Up IN
perfect circles, with his head drawn back in
a terrible graceful curve, his small eyes
| sparkling, his slender forked tongue darting
swiftly back and forth, and his brown neck
sw.llcn with fatal wrath, while ever and
anon he twirled the warning rattlcs in the
air, with harsh, blood d-curding sound.
= For God; sake, let's 60 said l, shud-
dering at the terrible sight
Don't get scared" said G., "just climb
u tree. and he won't bite you. 1t amt every
day that u fellow meets with such fine,
large snake AS this, and it wouldn't do to
] lnl,-A Li.-- if,rvrrru up small stick about q
yard long, and while speaking, was drawing
back the bushes from above the snake so as
10 get sight oil him. He threw his foot
around over the bushes, and tramped them
down in such a manner that the monster was
fairly exposed to view just rs he did so. and
before he had time to strike, the snake matle
sudden spring at him, and | turned away
my face in horror. The Ecxt instant Graymor
exclaimed, I've got him, by Georgc!r
turned to look, and with bis right hand
he was grasping the snake by the neck in
such manner that he could not bite, while
the monster was gnashing his teeth most
furiously, and twisting and writhing in huge
folds aroundlGraynor's arms. All OF a sudden,
In some unaccountable manner, the snake
freed his head and quick as lightning plung-
ed his deadly iangs into c. right cheek
when, dropping on the ground, he glided
few PAGES and again coiled himself up, keep
ing his head erect and ringing his fearful
rattles. G. turned deathly pale, paused
a moment, and then with little stick ad.
vanced toward the snake. As he did so the
snake made "A spring at him, but G. struck
him with the sick and knocked him back.
A second time the snake sprahg at him, and
he again knocked him off with stick: but
before he could strike third blow. the
snake had made another spring aud inflicted
another wound in Graysons arm. This time
Grayson again managed to seize the monster
by the neck, and, dropping the stick. lie
drew forth his knife with one hand, opened
it with his teeth, and then deliberately cut
of the snakes heal. Blood spurtcd from
the trunk. and G., still grasping the snake.
whose huge folds tapped and writhed
around him, turned towards me, staggered,
and fell. rushed up to him and asked
him:
What in the name of God can do for
you2"
Nothing" said he calmly, Il am dying.
Tell them good--," and his features be-
Came frightfully con.ortrd, his eyes rolled
over as if starting frym their sockets, and