The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-08-06
Thrilling Adventure With Snakes.

The Ballston Spa On. W correspondent
Of the Snratoyian sends the following graphic
account Of recent battle with black snakes
at Snake Hill. 1t would seem that the Oh
hill still deserves its name:
''Onc day last week two farm laborers
were sent to cut poles for scaf(olding near
the foot of Snake Hill, on the eastern side OF
Saratoga Lake, and while there had narrow
escape from being poisoned from the bites OF
black snakes. As none oftEc parties wi>hto
have their names brought to the notice OF the
public, they will be omitted, and their adj
ventures only will be told.
"Wi,tl.N. to get Ia, best timber possible
for their purpose, they sought the southern
side Of the hill, near the waters edge, where
the poles could be found the >traigh'es, and
tallcst. After telling a number Of poles
| they proceeded to pile OF loose rocks. and
there sat down to eat their dinner. The
spot chosen was very much exposed to the
heat of very hot sun, and they were IN the
! act Of stepping down from the stones to
seek a more shaded spot, and while doing
so some OF the stones ratified from their rest.
ing-pacc and rolled down the bank and fell
with splash into the water. Hardly step
! had been taken from the stone-heap when
the head OF black snake was seen to Dart
from creyice between two large fiat
stones. One CT the men secured a
stout club and stepped up to dispatch
the serpent, while his friend rolled
the stone to one side with pole which he
found at hand. While in the act Of striking
the snake, and as if by magic, the heads OF
snakes were seen to dart from every open.
iny in the stone.heap, followed by their
bodies. and, with heads erect, their eyes
flashing, and their tongues darting forth
from their extended jaws, they made a;hor-
rible sight to behold. In an instant the
ground was alive with the crawling, with
ing creatures, who, as if by human instinct,
surrounded the two men, who were nearly
paralyzed with terror, but, realizing that
something must instantly be done, with up
lifted clubs they showcred blow after bow
upon the now thoroughly angcred snakes,
which sent them flying in all directions,
as they were with every stroke of the
clubs caught up and thrown into The air
"One of the unfortunate, men, in his cN-
element. had not noticed several OF the
snakes which had crawIed in his rear, and
not until he feitthe cold and Sling bodWo Of
the reptile around his neck did he realize
his horrible position. Shrieking to his COM
panion for assistance, he struggled to tear
the coil from his neck. and did not succeed
in doing SO until the snake had bitten him
once under the right ear. F'lingjng the
body from him and nearly fainling from
exhaustion, he again took up his
club and struck, to- the right and left
killing a snake with every blow
His companion. while stamping the
head of snake, suddenly q felt sons.
thing crawling up his. left lee underneath
his pants, and, glancing down, he
discovered to his horror that a large blacl
snake had taken refuge there. Tcto"c he
could grab it by its. tail the animal had bit.
ten him near the knee. With a fling tho
serpent was flung far into the lake. Tht
snakes. finding the two brave men were on.
too many for them, after about an hour's
battle, and as if by preconcerted signal,
made for the rocks and disappeared, NOT,
! however, before several of them had been
u Killed. The men. finding Themselves thu
victors, proceeded to examine their wounds
and, after attending to them, proceeded t.
count the dead snakes, which amounted in
! numbers to eighty-Sevcn, the longest OF
Which number measured seven feet aui
: eight inches in length.
"AmonG the number was found. . hlu
: racer four feet in length, several large spot
I ted adders, and one large white snake
! nearly five feet long, and some portions .
Il is body as large round as horse $ knee
, This snake was shown TO the writer. and wa
found to be Of a snow-white color. viii
several small blue spots near lis head. Mcl
!. are going to cover the stone heap Wit
i; brush. and. after surrounding il with mel
armed With >iotgunS, set fire to it and pro
/ rccd TO cXtcrMiTlstc the snakes. So tar til
Two have experienced no bad feelings IRON
y thcb bates. sAuckiiytl,c bad on lic:sy, ,olrs
Il boots as several iaugs of he SHAKES wcr
4 4 found imbeAIed in the thick leather.'