The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-22
eESsIs sss11Is
Mtsllyltl = saal,sg
SNAKES FIGHT a DUEL,
A Blacksnake yaRquishes, a Vicious Ra
tier After n Fierce Struggle.

Blacksnake VaDquishest Vicious Rat
tier After n Fierce Struggle.
A thrilling fight between black
snake and rattlesnake was witnessed
on the Cummings orange grove by a
party of gentlemen from Daytona. For
several weeks blacksnalae about ten
feet long has made its headquarters un-
der an old crib on the grove, appearing
occasionally, but never allowing him
self to be killed. He w,as as large
around as ones wrist and as fierce a
looking fellow as one would want to
encounter. The gentlemen were seated
under a large palmetto tree enjoying
the pleasant afternoon, when they
noticed rattlesnake creep slowly and
cautiously out from a brush heap and
coil himself with head inIthe air and
eyes turned towards the party, as If to
say, Here 1 am" One gentleman
seized a club, but the other persuaded
him to delay his attack and watch the
reptile for awhile and see what it would
do, They had a chance to size up the
stranger, which was about six etlong
and of a grayish striped color. In
few minutes the blacksnake was seen
to appear from under the crib fifty feet
distant and move slowly toward the
rattlesnake.
Noiselessly came the huge black fell
low, carrying his head high in the air
and occasionally dropping it, apparent
~ studying the ground around which
he was to make the attack. 1t was
plainly evident that the blacksnake
wanted to fight. When within twenty
feet of the other creature he stopped,
raised his head and the IA talesnake saw
him for the first time. The ground be-
tween them was clear, not stick or a
stone being noticed for many yards.
The RATHER raised his head, and threw
out his tongue and seemed to be pre-
pared for an encounter. They really
reminded one of couple of desperate
men Just entering the arena for fight
to the death. Presently the black cham
pion started on circle around his prey,
getting nearer to the RATHER every min
ute. The RATHER never took his eyes
from the approaching enemy, and his
head going around reminded the look
ers-on of the movements of corkscrew.
When within six feet of the RATHER the
black fellow few around SO fast that
you could hardly tell what it was. 1t
was like taking string tied to stick
ard twirling it with all ones might
Suddenly the two came together and
Immediately became entwined about
each other, rolling over and oyer in the
dust. This lasted for fully FIVE minutes.
Then there was a lull and the black was
seen TO have his adversary by the throat
with his mouth. His body was twisted
about the rattler's body and and every
few seconds he would give a squeeze
that sent the RATHER so much further
towards his end.
In ten minutes the black hero dropped
the body of his victim, drew himself up,
took ONE last look and then slowly
wound off into the brush.
1t was a rare and remarka BILE scene
and thoroughly enjoyed by all of the
party. One of the gentlemen raised up
the dead RATHER on a stick and found
that he was terribly gashed and man.
gled. Like the boa-ooastrictor, the
blacksnake does not bite, but brushes
out the life of its victim FLORIDA Times
Union.