Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-02-19
mount that horse.
Harry mounted as before.
go to mill: I'll follow
SNAKE STRATEGY.
Huge Reptile Which Lost It's Head I'm
der no Circumstances.

Tho common black-snake is well
known to most inhabitants of the East
ern States. Whoever sees one usually
tries to kill it, or else runs away But
naturalists are not like other people.
To them, even black snake may be
desirable specimen" Mr.. c. j. May
nard, in his Contributions to Science"
narratcs his experience in capturing
such prize
The snake, as usual. saw me first, and
when my eye fell upon him, he was lying
perfectly quiet, hoping thus to escape
observation.
/ wanted black-snake, and here was
my opportunity. Directly in front of
him lay wide, open space, and i knew
could easily overtake him before he
could reach the bushes opposite.
Of this fact he appeared equally
aware, for / had not taken half dozen
steps in his direction before he changed
his tactics, and being some ten feet
away, turned in his tracks and charged
upon me.
| spread my feet and stopped to stop
him, but he passed directly under me,
and was so agile that he was ten feet
behind me before could make up my
mind just where te grasp him.
He expected me to run, as no doubt he
had seen other men do, for he was seven
feet long, as after-measurement showed,
and must have had considerable ex-
perience of the world.
AS did not run, he turned about, and
again came toward me hcadlong. This
time he swerved from his course when
he saw that I stood my ground, and
managed to get into some bushes.
Here he coiled, just as | have seen
rattlesnakes do, and elevating his
tail, vibrated it with great rapidity,
striking the leaves and twigs, thus pro-
ducing a buzzing sound not unlike the
rattles of the rattlesnake, at the same
time drawing back his head ready to
strike.
AS ] continued to advance, he once
more changed his man9uvres, and COM
menced lodging about among the
bushes. | kept him busy at this for
perhaps ten minutes, and then, seeing a
good opportunity, rushed forward to
secure him.
At this he mounted through the bushes
to their tops, and went from them to the
lower branches OF small birch, and
continuing upward, made his way TO the
swaying tip, some fifteen feet in the air,
performing the feat almost as quickly
as squirrel could have done.
From this elevated spot he looked
down upon me in triumph. But his ex-
ultation was short-lived, for vigorous
shake of the tree brought him down,
and as he fell upon the soft bed OF leaves
at my feet, threw myself upon him and
succeeded in capturing him.
Even at the last moment he did not
lose his head, but by an unexpected
movement managed to fasten his teeth
in one OF my fingers, in6icting some
quite deep scratches.
kept him for nearly two months, but
ne proved to be the fercest reptile of
this kind that ever possessed. When
ever took him into my hands he strug-
gled to escape, making use of much in
genuity to this end.
Sometimes he would softly wind his
coils round my arm or body, and then,
without having excited suspicion by any
undue pressure, would suddenly contract
| Jut HnuStlcS VI WIG bouyf anu ~" WIG '""'O
time jerk the head backward, endeavor-
ing to withdraw it from my hand as
held him by the neck.
Not having succeeded in this, he would
as unexpecNdly loosen his body, and
falling with his whole weight, give sew
eral violent contortions as soon as the
fall was checked by my hold, thus try
ing to jerk himself free.
At other times he gradually worked
his body forward, and when he had
pushed sufficient length OF neck
through my hand, would turn his head
suddenly and seize my fingers with his
teeth, a method OF attack which have
seen practiced by the ground rattlesnake
of Florida.
lie could not be famed, and at the end
of two months let him go.