Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-07-20
A Coon and a Raitler.

One night recently, 1T q Cincinnati
saloon, pet coon that had become
vicious fought with rattlesnake. A
piano box with high sides was used as
the enclosure for the duelists Candles
were stuck around lis sides to furnish
Illumination.
The owners of the combatants were
promptly Oh hanG with their pets. The
snake was first freed in the enclosure.
The coon was gotten ont OF its cage
with much difficulty, and fell behind
the Kissing snake.
Then began the fight On the snakes
part. 1t coilcd itself in an instant and
struck at the coon. Quick as the ac-
ton was the coon avoided il. The ami
NAL jumped out OF the way of the
ready fangs, and ran into one corner OF
the box and made frantic efforts to
climb out. 1t was pushed back. The
snake slowly uncoiled itself and crawl
ed after its enemy.
The coon darted on. Of It's way 4
second time and crouched in another
corner Again the snake followed it,
and again the coon escaped. After two
or three unsuccessful attempts TO catch
the terrified coon. the snake coiled
itself up in the centre Of the box and
moved its fat head 10 and fro in the d..
rection of It's enemy, then uncoiling it
selfit moved slowly toward the animal.
The movement OF the long sinuoUs body
seemed to fascinate the coon. Sudden
ly it showed its teeth 10 the reptile.
growing savaGely.
The snake became more cautious,
and, stopping few feet from its an
tagonist began to coil. The coon was
now on the aggressive and sprng on
its enemy. This turn OF affairs took
the snake completely off its guard The
coon caught it behind the head and
tried to shake it as dog would rat.
The long body was too heavy, and
the effort exhausted the coon. He let
the snake down on the floor to rest, but
still retained his hold, though whipped
by the writhing tail. The snakes stlug-
giles freed it in n few seconds. The
snakes lacerated neck panied it severe
ly. 1t was too mad to see. With an
other spring of incredible agility the
coon caught its pursuer by the neck
and tore second piece of flesh out
When he released it the pursuit and
flight took place again y few mere
effective attacks OF that kind would
have severed the snakes head from the
body.
Twice again the coon was pursued, and
turning, bit the snake and then lodged il.
The reptile was badly used up by this time,
and left bloody strea}S across the floor VIXEN
it crawlcd.
One onloolicr punched it with a stick 10
arouse it, and it ratified its tail fcebly. The
victory was evidently the cooH's. lie had not
received scratch. and all that was necessary
was for him to finish his enemy. lie caught
the snake sgain in the same place and almost
bit it in two.
The reptile half coled the unhampered part
of its body and then lay motioneSs. The coon
released it, and unmindful OF lis presence.
with it's paws tried to wipe the snakes blood
from its noStrils
The act proved to be a fatal one. The APP
parently dead snake coiled itself. and in 4
dying effort struck at the coon. fastening its
fangs in the animals neck. Ii then loosened
its hold and fell TO the floor of the box to
be literally torn to pieces by the infariat1d
coon.
The little quadruped's victory cost him
dear. The saloon keeper poured as much
whiskey down his throat as he would hold,
but the bite of the reptile had It's effect; The
coon died two hours after the fight. All bets
were declared off by the stakeholder.