Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-01-17
JANUARY II. 1889.

"A
the squirrel was getting less anu less
excited and seemed to have lost all fear
or power to act for itself We had now
got so near that, by pearing through
the wood, We saw the bright eyes OF
something; at last, we made out the
form of large rattlesnake coiIed at the
foot of the tree ready to spring upon
his game, which now seemed to have
lost all power, and was just ready to
fall. My o,d pard spoke and said,
I'D )n't he look vicious? I'll''-at the
word, "IIl," we both fir d our rifles,
Our balls cut that rattler into hash.
As we went to tie tree the squirrel had
fallen on the ground and was dead.
Now, If that is not proof hat snakes
have the power of fascination I do not
see what more proof would be required.
At any rate, no man can make me be-
lieve to the contrary. All snakes may
not be endowed with that faculty and
haYe other means of obtaining their
prey. | think some kinds catch their
game by the chase. To illustrate. One
day, on coming home from a hunt,
was crossing a field that was in grass.
On one side of the field ran a small
spring branch, where were small pools
of water. Between where I was and
that branch a small wet weather
branch ran, but was dry at that time.
When got most to this dry branch l
heard a loud croak. croak! | stopped
and turned my head in the direction of
the sound. l saw q green frog coming
almost direct towards me at full Jump.
That frog was making the longest
jumps, just as they say humping him.
self, and at every jump he would yell,
croak. Not more than a rod behind him
I saw big blacksnake with head up
to the top of the grass, right on his
track. going like a streak, gaining on
the frog at every jump. I stood and
watched. Before that frog had got fifty
yards from me | saw that snake make
a dash ahead and catch that frog while
in mid air. / never saw base ball |
player catch ball better. AS soon as
the snake had caught the frog it ceased
and seemed to act as though |
it is all up with me. | walked care
fully up near enough, so | could see all
that was going on. There the snake |
lay holding the frog in his mouth (he
had caught the frog between the lind
iegs) as if to take breath. After a short |
time | saw the snake raise his head a
little, and with convulsive motion |
draw the frog in his mouth. Then a |
rest. After a few moments another |
spasmodic motion; another backing in, |
and SO on: rest and another iugaIher-
ing. / stood and watched the process
until the snake had drawn the frog in
with his hind legs bent forward against
the frogs sides, with the feet'up against
the shoulder. All this time the frog
had shown no signs of life or opposi-
ton; it seemed to .be yielding to fate
very passively. When the frog was
about half swallowed l drew my ram
I'd and with a quick stroke on the
snakes back, my. the moment the rod
hit the snake, tie frog made spring
and with q loud croak he was gone,
COT nevcr stopped until he was safely
nd among the leaves in the spring
branch. l tell you, Mr.. Editor, have
'een a great many things in my sol-
AIRY rambling that would hardly dare
% tell to the boys and girls of these
peaceful DAYS. Il. p. r.