Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-15

out lion arose as to where RATHER couid
be found, as they were rather scarce in
the immediate vicinity of the sleeping
beauty. But happy thought struck
Mitchell. and he proposed that commit
tee of three be appointed to wait upon
Hosstetter and purchase his show. AS
Mitchell was the mover of the resolution
the self organized committee OF the whole
appointed him chairman, and Governor
Letcher and Hunt uade up the trio to
wait upon Hosstetter-the wild son OF the
Alleghanes-with all power to buy the
RATHER at any cost.
When the three gentlemen approached
the veteran hunter he was singing his old
refrain about ''the greatest curiosity on
yearth' This was cut short by Mitchell
saving: "Hoss, how much will you take
for your show?"
"Considerin' it's worth to me Sc day.
and that the season is now at Its helght,
the lowest price I'll ask is $780, an
swered Hosstetter, in business manner.
This was out of all question; but ii did
not take long for the persuasive eloquence
of Governor Letcher to satisfy "ofd
Hoss'' tha good deal OF fun was In
prospect. and compromise was effected
By handing the boss OF the show S2O
note, on condition that be would carry his
glass box across the creek and "spill the
tiger out, as Mitchell expressed it.
The committee feared that by this time
the black snake had taken himself away,
but the sun was shining hot and the gentle
men manifested great pleasure at seeing
the king of the snakes coiled up in the
spot where they had left him; but for
fear some accident might happen that
would deprive all present of the morning
sport, Hossteter was ordered to let his
pet loose. He did so by raising the glass
door OF the reptiles cage. and as liberty
is sweet even to a snake. the RATHER
crawled out OF his pent-up prison. and no
sooner had he got his entire length on his
native soil than his piercing eyes spotted
two enemies-the black snake in his front
and Hosstetter in the rear With quick
movement he drew himself up and struck
Al his master. who jumped out of the way.
This ungrateful action on the part of the
rattler had one good effect. 1t caused the
spectators to move further back, leaving
more room for the battle of the snakes
Money was plenty in those good old
times. and as everybody present seemed
To be possessed OF his share of it. high
betting became the order. The extreme
Southerners backed the rather, while the
Virginians aided by few North Caro-
linians, accepted all offers made against
the proud and gamy representative snake
Of the ancient commonwealth.
It was estimated that $4,000 was
wagered on the result, but while the
gentlemen were arranging their bets the
rival snakes were preparing for the deadly
strife As so as the black snake awoke
from his seen ing slumber he uncOiled
himself, and lin berng up sprang for the
weather side OF the rather. This caused
the latter to change his position.
making more room for the tactics of Vir-
gina's pride. The rattler would raise
himself and strike out his full length. TO
be surprised at finding his enemy few
inches out of reach. The black snake
kept up a slow and steady march in
circular motion around the rattlesnake,
and, while making no pretense to act on
the offensive, he always managed to keep
out of the reach of the poisonous fangS
that were thrust at him.
The men from the cotton belt said that
the pride of Virginia was a coward. and
offered three to two that the rattler would
beat him.
There's no fight in the cur" shouted
Charley Mitchell, who at the same time
offered 800 to S75 that the coward would
get licked. 1t is needless to say that all
bets on the rattlesnake were taken up by
the Virginians The only fear on their
part was that the rather might strike their
champion, and if so their jig was up; but
thew depended IN the native common
sense and GINNING of the black snake,
which knew his enemy and how to deal
with aim. The more the RATHER struck
out the weaker he became, until at last it
was plain to his hackers that unless some
thing was done quickly the game would
become a draw, AS they concluded the
black snake would never show fight. The
scene was becoming monotonous, when
Hosstetter shouted out: "I'l bet the $40
got for my pet that he'll get licked"
Mitchell Immediately answered. "Fll
take it, but there was no more betting,
as the wise men among the cotton plant
ers began to think that Hosstetter's knowl-
edge of snakes. from his 40 years expert
ence among them, was little better than
their own, and while they expected some
new turn in the affair, they could not tell
what it would be but there was one thing
certAn, the betting lite was knocked out
OF them when Hosstetter staked the price
of his show on the result.
They did not have much longer to wait,
for at last the time when the black snake
was to make himself lannon's had arrived.
The rattlesnake became exhausted. while
the black was apparently fresh and strong.
Watching his opportunity. the champion
of the Virginians lifted himself off the
ground with marvellous rapidtv, and
throwing himself across the body of his
rival ,coled his folds around his now pros
trate enemy and Rugged him to death.
The cracking of the rattler's bones could
be distinctly heard, and all was over.
The Gotten men said it was not a fair
fight. but the Stockholders gave up the
money to the victors. and the yell of the
Vlrginians was so loud and long, that the
echo. coming back from the towering
Mort N mountain rh Cd tha;, Oh,