Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-06-21
LETTER FROM ASHLAND CITY.

EDITORS CHRONICLE In days lang
syne we were accustomed to hear of
snakes charming and capturing
birds and small animals, by some I'M
accountable influence exerted upon
them, but not until recently did we
hear that they could exert such or a
similar influence, over human bipeds.
There is now living in our town a
man who, at one time, came we'll nigh
falling victim to this unseen infu-
ence exerted by huge rattlesnake.
What the snakes object could have
been, will ever remain an unsolved
mystery, as doubtless, it was thwarted
by the timely appearance of third
party on the stage. But we will let
the escaped victim tell his own story:
II had started out from Hampton's
mill, in Davidson county, in company
with colored man, to cut some tim
Der, having a measuring pole and
he an AK. We soon separated. l
had not gone far before | discovered a
very large rattlesnake in the pathway
Immediately in front of me; apparent
" we discovered each other about the
same time, and both stopped. Of
course / did not know the aim of his
snake ship, but mine was to carry out
the original curse pronounced upon
him, by -bruising his head He at once
threw himself into a coil and assumed
both defensive and offensive posi-
ton. The space around being open,
and not fearing his escape, l concluded
to forge my purpose for while and
see what he would do, resting myself
on the pole before mentioned. L was
soon intently watching his movements
he certainly cut up more fantastic an
tics than was ever performed by any
snake before, his head erect, eyes
sparkling like diamonds, his body the
while undergoing all manner of con-
tortions, and the huge mass continu-
ally assuming protean shapes, his tail
high appraised, his rattles moving
with the noisless motion of the step of
cat, and with almost tightening ra-.
pidlty, and with all his bright and va
rigated colors changing with every
movement of the hidious monster, for
me a picture well calculated to attract
and rivet attention. Soon my purpose
of destruction was forgotten, or if re-
membered at all only as an impOssi
bility. Ere | was aware of it, stood
or rather stopped. spell bound, as if
transfxed to the spot without the pow
err of speaking or locomotion, save in
obedience to the will of my captor, as
felt the distance between US was con-
tinually lessening by mutual approach.
Althoug ii [ was conscious Of my peri
lous position yet l was powerless to
change it, and what may seem more
strang had no desire to do so, only to
approach nearer the object that under
different circumstance would have
been one of terror, rather than of at
traction. | knew that we were grad
ually nearing each other, but how, |
could not tell, as | was not conscious
of moving, and the snake seemed to oc-
cupy the same situation relatively as
at first, ! only know that in the be-
ginning stood erect, now was in a
kneeling position, my body inclining
forward, my right hand extended for
ward, gradually nearing the snake,
not in straight line but oscilating,
and at each movement lessening the
distance, From the first moment that
caught the eyes of the snake there
seemed line extending from each of
his eyes to mine, about the size of an
ordinary sewing thread, which seemed
to exert a power sufficient over me to
hold me in the first position and to
make me subservient to his will.
How long / remained in this condi-
ton know not. The colored man
becoming uneasy at my prolonged abb
sence commenced calling me, which |
could distinctly hear but had no pow
er to answer; finally going in search
of me, he found me in the attitude