The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-07
SNAKES EIGHT A DUEL.
A Blacksnake vaiquisli Vicious Rattler
After Fierce Struggle.
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A thrilling fight between blacksnake and a
| rattlesnake was witnessed on the Cummings
! Orange Grove by party of gentlemen from
| Daytona. For several weeks past blacksnake
about 10 feet long has made its headquarters
under an old crib on the grove, appearing occa-
| sionally, but never allowing himself to be
! killed. He was as large around as ones wrist
| and as fierce a lobkiiig fellow as one would
| want to encounter. The gentlemen were
| seated under large palmetto tree enjoying
the pleasant afternoon when they noticed a
rattlesnake creep Slowly and cautiously out
| from brush-heap and coil himself with head
in the air and eyes turned towards the party.
as if to say, Here / am" One gentleman
seized club, but the other persuaded him to de-
lay his attack and watch the reptile for while
and sec what it would do. They had chance
to size up the stranger, which was about six
feet long and of grayish striped color. In a
few minutes the backsnake was seen to appear
from under the crib so feet distant and move
slowly toward the rattlesnake.
Now for a fight" said Mr.. Bert Walker,
and the party drew back to give the reptiles a
full show. Noiselessly came the huge black
fellow, carrying his head high in the air and
occasionally dropping it, apparently studying
the ground around which he was to make the
attack 1t was plainly evident that the black
snake wanted to fight. When within 20 feet
of the other creature he stopped, raised his
head, and the rattlesnake saw him for the first
time. The ground between them was clear,
not q stick or stone being noticed for many
yards.
The rattler raised his head and threw out his
tongue and seemed to be prepared for an en-
counter. They really reminded one of a couple
of desperate men just entering the arena for a
fight to the death. Presently the black cham
pion started on circle around his prey going
nearer to the rattler every minute. The rat
tier never took his eyes from the approaching
enemy, and his head going around reminded
the lookerson of the movements OF cork
screw. When within six feet of the rattler the
black fellow flew around SO fast that you could
hardly tell what it was 1t was like taking a
string tied to stick and twirling it with all
ones might. Suddenly the two came together
and Immediately became entwined about each
other, rolling over and over in the dust. This
lasted for fully five minutes Then thcre was
a lul and the blacksnalle was seen to have his
adversary by the throat with his mouth. His
body was twisted about the rattler's body and
every few seconds he would give squeeze that
sent the ratter so much further towards his
end.
In 10 minutes the black hero dropped the
body of his victim drew himself up took one
last look, and then slowly wound OFF into tho
brush.
1t was rare and remarkable scene and
thoroughly enjoyed by all OF the party. One
of the gentlemen raised up the dead rattler on
stick and found that he was terribly gashed
and mangled. Like the boa constructor, the
blacksnake does not bite, but crushes out the
life of its victim.