Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-11-24

Nevertheless, IL was soon heauteSs
corpse. A day or two previous to
this occurrence, while in the act OF
killing mountain RATHER, a favorite
dog pitched in for share OF the
racket and was bitten. The suffer-
ing brute stretched himself out TO
die, and as remedy Iobtained few
plants ofsnskeroot Qion's hearty and
chewing the roots, put the juice on
the wound and some of it in his
mouth. His head was swollen TO
more than twice its natural size, but
in the evening he was able to walk
home, and few more applications
prepared with milk effected speedy
cure.
A BULLDOG AND A RATHER.
Not long after, 1 had an opportuni-
ty to learn which was the better dog
an a snake fight. l had been stand
ing near tree while a chopper was
cutting it down, and moving away to
give him chance at the opposite side
/ came near stepping on full grown
yellow RATHER lying in coil. / had
with me savage bulldog, little too
good for anything-always ready to
kill any kind of animal from hog mp
to a horse-and desiring to get him
out of the way without actually be
coming his executioner, decided to
let him take chances on the common
enemy. I knew the snake would
have no show if stretched out at full
length, but it was coiled in the best
attitude for defense, with its head in
the centre and its fiery tongue dart
ing out either as warning or def
ance. Old Bull took firm position
in front, and after three cautious
movements backward and forward to
measure his exact distance, his teeth
snapped together like the spring of a
steel trap, and the snakes head was
crushed. The dog instantly dropped
it, jumping back, but soon as he saw
that his perilous charge had been sue
cessful he grasped the montrous rep
tile by the middle, and with three
savage jerks its body was literally
torn to shreds.
Numerous agencies tend to reduce
the census of the snake tribe. Hogs
destroy and feast upon them, and
deer kill all the rattlers that chance
to come in their way. once saw a
large buck performing series of Pc
culiar antics-jumping all-fours upon
some object that appeared offensive
to him. Subsequent examination re-
vealed the fact that he had mutilated
the body of big RATHER. When OPP
portunity offered l fred at the buck,
inficting fatal wound. In pursuit
of the deer I jumped over good.
sized rattler, and then halted just
long enough to dash a heavy stone
upon the snake. Having captured
the venison, / returned to find only
the tail of the serpent and a nice set
of rattleJ. The next summer, while
surveying lands for j. M. Ellis q
Sons, of Philadelphia, I discovered
and killed a rattlesnake-minu tail
and rattles-not far from the spot
where had detailed his snakeship.
In this connection it is proper to re
mark that d. P Ray, Jr., promi-
nent citizen of Tyrone, on a certain
occasion killed two rrttlesnakes Meth
or one having any rattles. This oc-
CURED on the mountain and is re-
ported by authority of Mr.. Ray.
OFF GOES HIS HEAD.
At another time / stopped at small
stream, and getting down in back
woods style to indulge in a refresh
ing drink of cool, sparkling water, I
placed my hand on the opposite bank
for support. Instantly the thrilling
music of a RATHER warned me that ]
was involuntarily holding down the
cold. clammy coils Of the same old,
dangerous enemy. In that situation
the snake could not bite, but l was in
the predicament of not knowing how
to let CO. Fortunately, my left hand
was free, and reaching for hunting
knife, which I always carried on such
occasions, I cautiously performed
neat but dangerous surgical opera
ton by removing the snakes head.
The eagle is an enemy to the SER
pent, and when can obtain the nec-
essary space I will try to give TIE
Press readers description of two or
three curious battles in the clouds
the eagle always carrying his victim
up into the air. j. w. s.