Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-08-17

| us neau, wrlthcd In an Instant out of coil
aud glided over the edge of the step as
caught up the child and set her safo in,
doors. She set up plaintive cry.
II dom wants come in, muzzer.
| Ties"
Ethel was safe-was it through tho
strange chance of the interposed black
ash leaves which had protected hera
The thing next in order for me was to
capture the snake which. now that the
present danger was over, I wanted to
secure alive if possible. With the help
of follow boarder I traced out the
reptile, guided by the sound of its
rattle, pinned down its head with a
forked stick, and after much patient,
cautious labor got it uniujured into box,
which, having nailed and boarded Sc.
curcly, took with me to my city lodg-
ings on my return TO them the next week
By dint of careful handling, the mas
sasauga, in time and with injury to no
one, was comfortably installed in my
lodgings. Its home was Hat, strongly
made wooden box with thick glass top,
which, to secure the best sunlight, |
brought into my sleeping apartment and
set on stand by the window. Ibid not
intend to keep permanently so dangerous
an inmate, but eventually to kill it with
chloroform, and stuff and mount the
skin. The time was near ut hand when
these snakes change their skin, and |
wished 1t to be invested in the brighter
coiors OF Its new integumcnt before carry
ing my plan into effect.
The reptile was of uncommon size for
its species, being two feet in length with
thick and seemingly clumsy body, which
under excitement becamc wonderfully
flexible and active.
1t, in the main, rested contentedly
enough in its box, which was large enough
within for it to lie at full length in any
direction, but would occasionally, when
oil was quiet, glide swiftly around its
prison, and cndcayor to thrust its head
between the glass and the wooden sides
III M cllort to escape. 1t usually moved
sluSgishly, aud most OF the time it rested
motioniess in coil, or sinuously fiat, or,
sometimes, al full length in its box.
It's suspcciibility to irritation appeared
TO be in proportion to the heat of the
weather, and i'll the hotter days of the
summer the head would rear from the coil,
and the curved fangs spring sharply into
sight, at the approach of person to its
box
as had but few visitors, and seldom
disturbed my captive myself, beyond
what was requisite in the study of its
habits, the massasauga led Il quiet, inurt
life enough, and though it seemed to n
casual observer to pass most of its time
IN sleep, its eyes never closed, but
CLEANED ever watchful, with n CLEAN
like that of a dull black gem.
When the sultry, depressing weather
OF dog-days came, near the last of july,
noticed that its skin was becoming dry
and rough, and seemed to give uncasi.
ness to the reptile, whose sluggishness
and irritabiiity ut the SAME time became
more marked. This condition increased
until it was stilr and lifclcss, and en-
closed the body like tight garment
ready to burst from the expansion
within,
A film came over the ewes until the
snake was apparently blind. Its tenn
per was now ut its worst, and the snake
would rear and strike In the direction
OF any sound in its vicinity. At this
time it presented its most horrid aspcct,
as with cracking skin and clouded ewes
1t would Mt any unusual noise lift it's
head, open its wide Jaws showing the
swollen poison gland above and behind
the deadly, down-curving fangs, and
reach forth blindly in the endenyor to
follow the sound TO find All object to
strike.
] had placed some stones in the box.
and after while observed the reptile
when undisturbcd had begun to spend
much of its time gliding slowly back
and forth between them, rubbing against
them and against the side of the box.
Presently ! saw that the old skin had
burst at the neck and the snake in
new skin, fresh and bright in color,
was working out of the old one 1t
emerged by degrees, like a grub from n
cbrysalis, and i'll few hours was at
liberty and its eyes resumed their clear
ness. The reptile, apparently greatly
relieved. was lying beside its discarded
cuticle, which preserved much of tho
shape OF its former wearcr, and mt n
hasty glance might be taken for another
snake.
The massasauga was destined to par
ticipatc i'll a new adventure more tragic
than had attended that Of Ethel. AS l
have said, its box was in my sleeping
room. On one September evening had
gone to bed, and fallen asleep as usual.
On the day previous l had drawn from
the bank considerable sum of money
which was then in my room I was
awakened Il little after midnight by
some one stirring in the apartment, the
door of which had locked on rctir-
ing.
| opened my eyes, but lay motionless
in order to verify my impressions with
out indicating that l was awake, for l
thought / detected the muilled footballs
OF two persons; then some one cautiously
crossed the room and leaned over my
bed.
was surprised defencelcss, and know
ing it to be Of no use to str, lay still
with closed eyes, fcigning sleep, us the
flash of Il dark lantern was thrown full
on my face. remained perfectly quiet,
and breathed easily and naturally. The
man after long look was evidently salts
fed of the gcnuineness of my slumber
He still stayed by me, but spoke in a
whisper in thieves slang to his COM
panion.
Hes Ripping fast enough. Take the
darkey and go ahead, and I'll pipe him. +"
l.. II r II