The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-31

up In wen on the pane above the big
spiders, where another spider hung
hstlcssly, wrapped up in his long, hairy
legs. When the big-h oadcd spider en-
tered the hairy SPIDERS web the latter
nnwrnppod himself and greeted his visit
or cordially. a short confab took place
between the two. and then the hairy
spider dropped quickly down to the big
brown spiders den and tho spider with
the big head returned hnrriedlv TO tho
little black SPIDERS corner.
The sequel proved that the big headed
spider had, beyond all question of doubt.
arranged duel between the little black
spider and the big brown one, lrc being
the second OF the former, the hairy spi-
der having consented to be the big
brown fellows next friend in the affair.
a few seconds after the big-hcadcd
spider had returned to the blacl, spidcr's
corner the two glided out, reached tho
Dig brown spiders web, advanced almost
TO the center of it, and stopped The
brown spider and his hairy attendant
soon attcrward emerged from the for
mers den and advanced toward the CEN
ter OF tho web, stopping within an inch
or SO OF the black spider and his second.
Other members 'of the spider colony
must have had intuitive KNOWLEDGE of
what was going on, for spiders of all
sizes and shapes came speeding to the
scene to get Il view of what was evident
ly to be a fierce encounter. When tho
two principal spiders had taken their
positions their respective attendants re-
tired some distance from them. Then
the little black spider and his big brown
foe rushed together.
They struggled moment, scnarated.
rushed together again, and tunibled and
tossed one another about until the web
on which they fought swayed and bent
ana broke here and there into ragged
holes. All the while the hairy spider
and the spider with tho big head lowered
frantically each about his principal rs
II coaching the fighters as to the best
advantage. The spectator spiders
showed no little excitement themselves,
ana ran to and fro along the edge of tho
sash around the pane as the firht pro-
crossed When tho battle was mt its
height one round-bodicd black spider of
the same species with the little black
one in the fight probably fearing for
the safety of his prototype, made rush
Into the field to take a hand i'm tho
fight. Before he reached the contestants.
however, he was collarcd by both the
hairy spider and the big-headed spider,
and hustled back into the crowd SO quick
that he seemed dazcd, and remained
pcrched on the edgo of the sash until
the fight was over without as much as
moving leg.
While this exciting side incident was
engaging the attention OF the seconds,
tho principals separated, each rctreating
acouple OF inches. The attendant spiders
rushed each to his principals side and
Tor several seconds things remained
quiet. Then the pugnacious little black
spider moved slowly forward and the big
fellow advanced to meet him. When
they we're nearly together the little
spider shot forward like n flash.
bounced upon the big one, and
almost as quickly darted back again.
That was fatal blow to the big spider
In that sudden dash the little spider
mad chopped off one of the big ones
long forelcgs close to his BODY as neat
~ as he had cut the cables of his foes
intruding web. The loss of his ler
greatly disabled the big spider, and the
little fellow was able TO fight all around
him, to. the visible distress of the
brown spiders hairy second The black
spider darted at his big antagonist with
tho rapidity of lightning, and it was
not long before he had severed the
other forcleg of the big spider as COM
plctely as he had tho first one. Tho
brown was now almost totally helm
less. by aquicll flank movement the lit
tie black mounted the others huge BODY,
and closed his jaws firmly in the back
of his neck. The big spider houndcrcd
and struggled, but all to 10 purpose.
His life blood was fast being drained
by his agile foe, and in minute after
the black spider had got his clutch on
the brown ones neck the big fellow
hung shrivcllcd and lfclcss in tho
wreck of the web he had tried to en-
large at the expense of his bold and
nervy little neighbor.
But the little black spider was not
satisfied with the death of the en-
croaching spider and the ruin to his
web. When he found his foe was dead
he made IL circuit of the outer edge of
the web. cutting every stay cable and
guy web from its fastenings, until tho
imp body or It's lato occupant and the
dismantlcd web fell together on the
window ledge, among mass of dead
and shrivcllcd flies and beetles WINGS
and heaps of dusty cast-oif webs Then
tho victorious little black, escorted by
both the big-headcd and the hairy
spiders; returned to his nest in the
corner. The spider spectators scam
percd back to their respective homes.
and In few seconds the great spider
colony had resumed all its wontcd quiet.
Result of n Conversation.