The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-09
A DUEL TO THE DEATH.
TarRntula and a Rattlesnake Engage
in Mortal Combat.

in Mortal Combat.
Il is quite a common thing among the
soldiers in Arizona 10 pit tarantulas against
each other and bet on the fighting powers OF
their f2yorites. This fact doubtless .sug-
gested to tie clerks in II. II. Tammeu'
curiOsity-stOTe in Denver the idea Of getting
up fsht between large and lively laran-
lula and a rattle5nake.
Before the fight began the odds were ten
to one in favor Of The snake and there were
few takers. The proprietor was not in at
the time and the clerks had closed the store
for the night, 50 there was not much prob
ability OF an interruption. The big snake
was driven into one end OF his cage and a
partition let down 10 keep him safe, so that
the taTautula could be introduced.
The little sliding door at the other end,
/ carefully protected by & closely woven wire
screen was raised and the tarantula slipped
into the compartment. Then the partition
was pulled up ard the eager eyes peered
through tie glass sides OF the cage to wit
ness the result.
The tarantula arose and brstled all over
like a chestnut burr. the rattlesnake reared
/ its head and thrust forth its foT6ed tongue
with the rapidty Of lightning Thus the
two strange and deadly creatures remained
for a moment, gazing at ca b other.
Suddenly there was heard thrilling
whirr OF the snakes Tattles and with the
plianCY Of a steel spring the snake threw
himself Ito a coil with his head raised in
the center and vibrating rapidly from side
to side. The tarantuia was as ImmOVa5le
as if carved in stone.
Suddenly with a motion almost too swift
Tor the eve 10 follow, the RATHER struck, but
he missed his mark, for the taTantula, with
tie speed OF lightning bounded into the air.
and descending on one Of the Serpeuts coils,
sunk his faugS into tie flesh. The snake
instantly began thrashing around the cage
and disiodged his foe.
Again the taTaDtula became immOvable
and again tie serpent C0iled ard struck
/ only l. be t0lled. Fire seemed to fash from
the eyes Of both the contestants and both
appeared 70 know that It WAS a tight 20 the
death,
There was now a tremul0us motion visible
ia every limb Of the tarnntuIa, and it was
evident that he was contemplating offensive
measures. With the leap Of a tiger he
bounded upon his foe and once more sank
his faugs into the body Of the snake. This
time it was in vain for the serpent to writhe
ami founder for the taTantula cluug 70 his
enemy with the tenacity of bulldog.
The spider was bruised and beaten, some
Of his legs we're broken, but be held on
with desperate courage, and gradually the
Efforts OF the RATHER grew weaker until at
last his coils relaxed, and, with only faint
vibration of his tai, he lay stretched out
upon the bottom Of his cage dead. The
deadly venom Of the tarantula had done its
work.
The fight lasted only ten minutes, end
was most thrilling exhibition Of ferocity
and courage. The quickness OF motion ex-
hibted by the taTantula was marvellous.
and through it he avoided being struck by
the serpent. The dead serpent was evil
dence against the clerks and they had 10
confess to the proprietor that they had in
trOduced the tarantula to the serpent with a
result which none Of them had anticipated.
Inc Arizona Great Divide.