Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-07-01
A Novel Battle.

a dispatch from Hamilton, Ohio, to the
Ciocinna.i Enquirer Gays: Wm. Copeland,
farmer living short distance soath OF Col
linsviile, was In town TO day telling the pnr-
tculars OF strange combat he witnesstd d
last Suuasy. Mr.. Copeland Is etauncn
Christian apd was on his way to church
when the sffair occurred. He was making
shor. cut by passing through clearing On
the farm OF VIM. Neal. Suddenly his stten.
tion vas attracted by most peculiar noiee.
IL took him some time to locate the sDgular
sound, which all the time was growing lou:-
ar and more fierce. He finally traced it to
large tree on the edge Of the Gearing. He
went up to the tree and disco vered hat 1t
twas hollow. Looking through big hole In
|Sthe side be saw an eDormcu, black snake In
deadly conflict with common fox tqnirrsl.
lThe duel must have been In pfogee.s for
Iseme time, IS there were long gaehes In tie
Iepiie's ekin, ehowing the effective work OF
de squirrels teeth and claws. The four.
ooted antagonist bore no Visible marks CT
ne frey Nsitber paid any alter
tin whatever TO Mr.. Copeland. and In fsft
biz presence seemed to have no ehec'
OF the battle. Toe squirrel would jump
l
t,y would be- mixed up 10 writhing mas
thssquirrei barking at lively rate sno
the rsptiie Kissing sarsgely. 10 an instant
tie ouirrel would appear 10 disengage him.
selfsnd bound out OF the reach of the snake
Aher resting q while, and evidently recov-
erine his strength for another assault, the
isquiyrel you'd suddenly eise another leap
aUd tasten bis isDRs in the snakes neck,
Just hack Of the heed Ia this position the
rsotile could do nothing except lash him
issf into fury, while his little enemy hung
Itcuacicusly with claws ard teeth. Again
bounding up the ioside of the tree, opt OF
s,ehs Of Mr. Copeland. the squirrel could be
aesrd chattering deGantlV az his antagonist.
Ii boxed ssif they were fighting rounds irst
as the men do in the prizs ring. Whit MIR
Copsland stood there be saw fully III II
ioZ q cfthese ronnds, every one OF " ion
was dstisively In favor OF the sqsifi el.
Sometimes n hia iDpotent wrath the ser-
pspt would Rriths SCOUT the bottom OF he
hollow trunk in fearful rage, the
rqQir;el barking mockingly at the
performance. One time the equlrrel
jumped out OF the edge Of the opening and re-
msinel perfectly still until the snske osrtea ~
him. Before he could "lsrd," however, the
squirrel was Just bsyond reach. he kept up this
tautaliz;ng action Ior sooe time, snd, judging
from his laughing bark, seemed to enjoy the rep
ii els discontinue. In making one of his terrific
lnngcs the snake threw himself entirely ont OF
| the hollow. The battle continued as before, the
squirrel making ono Of his quick attacks and nlmc'
| " bounding out of rel ch. Mr., Copeland, finally,
| after several rounds had thus been fousht, con-
Guided to put an end 10 the novel combat secur,
| ing a large club he dealt the snake 8 blow that
stretched him out on the grass. The squirrel,
still barking at lively rate scsmpered up The tree
and from hough continued to chatter and watch
| the proceedings. The snake when measured,
proved to be the largest black snake ever seen in
that section 1t was 8 feet inches long, and )
feet below the head measured GA inches in cir.
conference. The skin will be stuffed and placed
on exhibition.