The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-03-11
THE vENOMoUs TARArTULA.
In an Encounter lie Ikuis . Rattle
snake In Ten Minutes.

In an Encounter lie Kills . Rattle-
snake In Ten Minutes.
It is quito common thing among the
soldiers Of Arizona to pit tarantulas
against each other and bet on the fight
ing powers Of their favorites. This fact
undoubtedly suggested to the clerks in
II. II. Tammen's curiosity store in Den.
yer the idea OF getting up fight be-
tween large and lively tarantula and q
rattlesnake.
Before the fight began the odds were
ten to one in favor Of the snake, and
there were few takers. Tho proprietor
was not in at the time and the clerks had
closed the store for the night, so thero
was not much probability Of an interrup.
tion. The big snake was driven into one
end Of his cage and partition let down
to keep him safe, so the tarantula could
be introduced.
The little sliding door at the other end,
carefully protected by closely. woven
wire screen, was raised and the tarantula
clipped into the compartment. Then the
partition was pulled up and eager eyes
peered through the glass sides Of the
cage to witness the result. The tarantula
arose and bristled all over like chestnut
burr, the rattlesnake reared its head and
thrust forth its forked tongue with the
rapidity Of lightning. Thus the two
strange and deadly creatures remained
for moment gazing ut each other. Sud-
denly there was heard the thrilling
whirr OF the snakes rattles and with the
pliancy Of a steel spring the snake threw
himself into coil with his head raised
in the center and vibrating rapidly from
side to side. The tarantula was as i'm.
movable Ms IL carved in stone.
Suddenly, with q motion almost too
swift for tho eye to follow, the rattler
struck, but he missed his mark, for the
tarantula, with the speed Of lightning.
bounded into the air, and, descending on
one OF the serpents coils. sunk his fangs
into the flesh. The snake instantly began
thrashinG around the cage and dislodged
his foe.
Again the tarantula became immov.
able. and again the serpent coiled and
struck. only to be foiled. Fire seemed
TO fash from the eyes Of both the con.
testants, and both appeared to know that
it was fight to the death.
There was now tremulous motion Wis.
ible in every limb df the tarantula, aud
it was evident that he was contemplating
offensive measures. With the leap Of q
tiger he bounded upon his foo and once
more sank his fangs into the body OF the
snake. This time IL was in vain for the
serpent to writhe and founder, for the
tarantula clung to his enemy with the
tenacity OF q bulldog. The spider was
bruised and beaten. some Of his legs were
broken, but he held on with desperate
courage. and gradually the efforts Of the
rattler grew weaker, until at last his coils
relaxed, and with only faint vibration
Of his tail lie lay stretched out upon the
bottom Of his cage dead. The deadly
venom Of the tarantula had done its work.
The aght lasted only ten minutes. and
was . most thrilling exhibition of ferocity
and courage. The Quickness Of motion
exhibited by the tarantula was marvel.
ous, aud through it he avoided being
struck BY the serpent The dead serpent
was evidence against the clerks. and they
had to confess 70 the proprietor that they
had introduced the tarautula to the ser.
pent with result mono of them had ap
ticipated.-Arizona Great Divide.