The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-08-06
JUVENILE COLUMN.
HOW WE CAUGHT THE RATTLEsNAKE.

there is high range OF mountains. 'pous
eight miles long. The rocky SIDES SINK
can scarcely find place to haul up o little
skiff. Gus and used sometimes to row
over and 90 after huckleberries. Once we
saw q deer, Just out Of rifle shot, and at
another time bear. But the rattlesnakes
there are pretty nearly as tn,c Las as o tine
eyes open. Gus was half cracked" as
he used to cay himself, ON the subject of
natural history. He had red squirrel,
gray squirrel, ground squirrel, a robin,
and tame crow. ~ tell You what,
Harry" said he, elf we could only get a
would have regular 'happy family"
The next night, after we had gone to bed.
Gus called out, I" Harry, are you asleep 7"
"No."
8. "H H you got the peas h0ed :"
"Weli, then, here's lark for tomorrow.
Well get our breakfast at daylight, and 60
across the lake after huckleberries."
The next thing L heard was cold
Shanghai" who walked us up every morn
ing. Gus pulled me out of bed that morn
ing, though I usually pulled him. "Don
and 1put the Johnnycake in your hat:
Mother knows we're going; Mamie said
she'd milk the cow, and Annie loves you
enough to feed your old Shanghai"
Gus was older than /, and generally had
his own way. That morning he hustled
awake until found myself in the boat.
"Shove her off," said Gus, as he handed
me couple of hickory saplings. did 80,
and let them fall into the water. "Stupid
catch 'em, before they float away"
CAN right; but there's no use getting
Gus smiled thought had scared him.
He pulled away at the oars. Finally his
smile broke into a chuckle, Harry, what
are we after to-day Z"
"Huckleberries."
Where's the pail 2"
"Pshaw!" said I, cit isn't my fault;
you were in such a hurry. But that old
box will hold half a bushel."
Harry, you're green"
al say it will !"
cit will, only it won't, you know"
Why mott"
Because it's going to hold something
s'Ho! no i" said 1, you're up to a trick.
I thought you were in hurry to get
Ono, Harry, it's no trick. Call it a
dodge, if you will, but no trick" said Gus,
sOlemnly.
Well, trick or dodge, whichever it is,
what are you going to do Z"
"Do9 Oh, l know what Pm about"
"I don't believe you do"
Finally, after he had leased me long
enough, Gus told me the secret. We arc
going to catch rattlesnake.easiest thing
in the world-no danger-hickory sap
lings-put him in the box"
Yes" said l, " see."
We reached the shore. The sun was up;
the hot summer air hung motionless over
the Silent lake. We tied our boat to a
cedar and climbed up slanting rock
which was supposed to be a regular land
ing-place of the rattlesnakes, who crossed
the lake here on account of the islands
giving them a rest. Gus gave me the box
and took the hickory poles, of which he had
made a long pair of tongs, as l now per-
ceived.
Tickatick, tickatick, pr-r-r-r"
"Oh, there's one J" screamed Gus, pale
as sheet. "Put down the box and take
off the cover"
dropped it quickly enough and started
to run but then, recovering my courage,
1 turned around. There, few steps OF;
was the hideous reptile, his brown and
streaked body coiled in Shiny folds, his tail
vibrating like futtering leaf and shaking
the rattles. He was very large, and
could plainly see his head, which was
raised about a foot. His yellow eyes were
on fire with rage and malice. Better let
him alone, Gus" said l.
"Mind your business and do what tell
you! You take little stones and pelt him
just enough to keep him looking at you.
and I'll x him."
Idrew back a little, and did as I wal
told. Gus Owed into the bushes, and sooI
l saw him stealing along the rocks behine
the shade. The hickory tongs silently ad
vapced. The monster was so intent upor
me that he did not see the sticks move OF
either side of him.
1t was on exciting moment. I held m,
} breath as saw the tongs close about Hi
neck. Then there was rustic in thu
leaves and twigs; the rattle beat taste
than ever; the dust flew. The next lnstan
| saw the tongs bend aud rise high in tn
air, the shake writing like an enormou
! whiplash.
, Giles all fastr' shouted Gus, giyyin
(; him a good shake to make sure. Nov
r get him into the box"
Gradually we let him down, and saw hi
, swollen head and glaring eyes only a fey
r inches from my hand. We put, on til
n, cover and Gus opened the tongs and slippe
4 them out. Snap went the lid, and tn
:. snake was left struggling and rafting in
# side the box.
u "Didn,t manage it splendidly!" sal
Gus, with his foot on the cover.
sc Won always were q brick, Gus" for