The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-21
A SNAKE HUNT.
The Novel Pastimo, Enjoyed IN
South Carolina.

oilnas provide an abundance and va
rlety OF game for the sportsman, and
on n hot summers day he can bag as
many reptiles as he feels inclined to-
A party of rice planters organ
lied hunt. ut Inglcsidcs,
deserted South Carolina planta-
ton which had once been the
pride Of q southern family, but the war
had eXterminated the male members.
AT any rate the place has been turned
over to the negroes and is in the last
stages of dilapidation.
Greatland was reached and a short
ride beneath an avenue of live oaks
brought the party to what had once
been great, fine country house.
Shall we have to go far?" asked the
stranger.
mo" exclaimed some one to the
right, as he made spring at something
in the dried grass.
AT first he could not make out what
it was, but suddenly q long yellow
snake, with great black links on it's
back glided between his legs.
Catch himl Catch himr shouted
several voices.
Like flash the reptile glided through
Y.
Suddenly some one quickly doubled ND
aud then threw himself on the ground.
i've got him" he exclaimed, and for
the next few minutes there was strug-
gle among the dried leaves that was
highly exciting. The snake, which was
about six feet in length and as large
round rs mans wrist, twisted,
wriggled and fought, but it's captor
knew how to handle tho deceptive folds,
and in spite OF Kisses and fangs strong
hand was slowly passed forward until q
mans powerful fingers clutched the
angry reptiles neck close to the spotted
head. Triumphantly the captor arose
from the ground with tho loathsome
body Of the snake wrapped about his
arm.
"Bah" said another, contemptuously,
ga chicken snalxcl No more fight in
one of them than there is in kitten"
His remark proved true. for, after the
creature was stroked for few minutes,
it seemed contented and when placed
on the ground made no effort to escape,
but eagerly dipped it's forled tongue in
some milk that was brought for another
purpose.
Some one suggested that the trophies
be hung on the dropping limbs of live
oak. and a stout leather thong quickly
encircled the end of the first victims
tail and secured it to the limb, where
it hung head downward. slowly swing
ing back and forth.
The path then taken led along bank
some twelve feet in width. Majestic
magnolias and mammoth azaleas lined
it on either side, and the still water
was hidden by a tangled mass of cup
shaped lotus leaves which fioated on
its surface. The road was bad, and as
the men stumbled on prolonged hiss
brought them to q dead halt. And none
too soon, for there in the path lay a fine
specimen of the deadly copperhead. It
is now an ornament of the Charleston
museum.
Stretched across the road, the four
feet of beautiful, copper-colored scales
glistened in the sun. The ugly, fat
head drew back; lazily the bulky body,
which was as large around as mans
arm. formed itself into double circle.
1t was in fighting position. It's head
was raised foot from the ground,
and the neck became horribly atten-
uated. No one was very anxious this
time to be the first to attempt the
capture of n reptile whose bite meant
almost certain death. Slowly a stick
was thrust forward. The snake arched
it's neck until it was seen above the
head. which was suddenly drawn back,
and then. with lightning-like rapidity,
it shot forward. The serpents Jaws
were widely distendcd as it struck the
wood with its fangs A greenish liquid
squirtcd out upon the ground several
feet ahead. and everybody retired
few feet with dispatch. A man in front
tripped and fell, and before he could
arise the loathsome reptile was prepar-
ing to strike at him. Quickly he rolled
over towards the side of the bank, and
with angry Kisses the infatuated snake
followed. The man sprang up, but
his foot slipped in the treacherous
mud, and, with splash, he fell into the
canal. The matted vines bore him up,
however.
The others soon placed the prong of
a stick behind the reptiles head, but
with sudden twisting of its body it
freed itself again and slipped into the
water The man tangled in the vines
yelled and was badly frightened as the
triangular head cut through the water
in hisdirection. His eyes closed and his
pale face sank lower among the vines.
Then an aged college professor who
had insisted upon accompanying the
party sprang forward, and Selling the
ovcrhanging bough of young bay
tree lowered himself until he could
touch the water, then put out thin
but muscular hand and seized the snake
just behind the head not an instant too
soon.
The next captive was a pretty milk