The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-08-02

| "ho aoocrVdIh Ine result; then
ne again and again went through the
same performance. The tapping sound
l heard was explained and knew well
Its object A few summers before
lhls, near our barn at home, | had
seen black snake engaged in the
same maneuver and, after killing it,
discovered that he had swallowed q
turkey egg, AMI adopted this method
10 break the shell in order that the
egg might be more easily digested, or,
perhaps, to relieve the inconvenience of
its bulk. With suitable cudgel soon
dispatched the snake, and, with nv
hunting knife as a scalpel at once pro-
ceeded to make the autopsy. Iexpect-
ed to iiud, as in the former instance,
an egg as the cause OF trouble, but was
much surprised upon Sitting the body
open to see, instead OF an egg, a full
grown, bOx-turtle turned out of it. 1t
was alive, too, and soon opened the
bottom and end of the box, protruded
its head, tail and legs, and scrambled
Off seemingly very grateful for its de-
llverance from an untimely and some-
what unpleasant death. named him
Jonah and let him GO The cause of
the snakes uneasiness became now
very plain rs | continued the post-mor-
TEN, for further foundnthat the i'm
prisoned chelonian, in its desperate,
efforts TO regain its liberty, had actual,
y worked one of its feet through the
ophidian's stomach and through the
outer integuments of its body. Hence,
with both reptiles it was literally
struggle for life--for the survival OF
the fttest-Or toughest, rather. And
50, | conclude that truth-especially in
regard to snallcs.-is sometimes as
strange as fiction.
In another hunting excursion in the
American bottom, years ago, | was
fortunate in having an opportunity to
witness singular combat, in which
the exhibition of animal instinct
seemed only a synonym for profound
reasoning. After passing through a
small thickct Of plum trees and under
brush | caught sight of fine, large
buck, only few yards distant, and was
about to raise my gun when my atten.
tion was arrested and curiosity excited
by his queer movements. | refrained
from firing at the beautiful animal, and
cautiously approached a little nearer
in order to discover the cause of his
strange antics. From the time | first
observed him he was walking slowly
around Sideways in Il circle of per-
haps u dozen feet diameter, with head |
lowered and eyes inteutly watching
some central object, Occasionally he
threw up his head and darted back
precipitately, but only for moment,
and again resumed his circuit He was
so absorbed in this singular maneuver
that | craWled near enough to see |
across the circle he described without
attracting his notice. | now saw that
the focus of his fixed gaze was a huge
rattlesnake coiled up in striking at
titude, with head and tail erect, and
keeping up constant, thrilling whir
with his thirteen rattes. A vicious
strike by the snake now and then
would be parried by the deer tossing
up his head and dodging back instant
ly. The oddly-matched pair evidently
each others tactics and
power perfectly, and, like well-trained
pugilists in the prize-ring, were keen
ly alert to every motion each made,
and prepared at all points for or
against any advantage that might be
presented.
The buck continued his walk-around
for some time, gradually increasing
his speed and narrowing his circuit
At length his opportunity came. The
snake, bewildered or fatigued by con-
'tantly turning to face his antagonist,
or moment slackened his vigilance.
This was what the deer had been look
ng for. Instantly, and almost with
he rapidity of a streak of lightning,
With his front feet close together and
loofs pointed forward, he sprang upon
he coiled monster and as instantly
bounded back to his former safe
listance. 1t was done so quickly that
he snake had no time to strike; but
he blow had failed in its aim. The
eptile was wounded and bleeding, but
eemed terminated aud glared savage
y at his stately enemy, and ratified
ouder, and flashed his tongue out in
mad defiance. The buck was not
he least disconcerted by this hideous
bullition of wrath, but steadily
ontinued the siege. After awhile ho
aught another opportunity, and, with
he swiftness of thought, he repeated
is spring forward and back again.
his stroke ended the contest The l
oints and sharp edges of the hoofs--
hisel-like--struck the snake squarely
t the base OF the neck, where it rose
bove the coiled body and almost sew
red it. The head dropped ani the
oil loosened, yet the rafting con- J
nued, though not so furiously. The 6
'ary buck prudently kept his distance /
nd cautiously walked again around /
is PROSTATE foe. Two Or three times {
Q made the circuit, when he again S
prang upon the reptile. and again, '
nd again undetermined 10 make com. t
lete job of it, Or perhaps to give the l
lttler taste of punishment after 8
eath--until little Of it was left but 4
leeding, mangled mass. l could not I
nd 1t In my heart to slay the victor g
fter such n STARTLING exhibition Of