The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-04
CHASED BY A RATrLKR.
Pursued for a Hundred Yards by a
Reptile That Meant Business.
From the Sacramento Ne.Os.

Pursued for a Hundred Yards by a
Reptile That Meant Business.
From the Sacramento Nesos.
II never want to pass through such an
experience again. said Executive Messen-
ger A. A Walton as he replaced the cover
on the box and placed the receptacle In a
drawer. at makes me shudder to think of
my adventure"
Messenger Waltons thrilling adventure
happened on Gov. Markham's recent quail
hunting trip in Kern county. Walton ac-
companied the governor on his outing. The
incident can best be told in the messengers
own language:
The country over which we were hunt
ing, said he, twas slightly broken up and
In spots covered with considerable brush.
When we first went there we were informed
that, while quail were plentiful in the
vicinity, the supply of snakes was limited.
This was disappointment TO me as we had
In our commfssary stores a goodly invoice
OF snake antidote.
"For several days in our field sports we
never encountered a RATHER. We weren't
particularly anxious TO find them, either.
Don't you know there is something loath-
some about a crawling. Kissing suake, and
especially is the Consciousness intensified
when Ii rattles.
1T was the morning prior TO the day fixed
for our departure when 1 went out of the
cabin to collect little wood. The hour was
early. WAS unaocompanied by dog, gun
or even stick. The air was inspiring and
l was full of melody. Whistling Annie
Rooney stopped over a small bush 20
gather dead branch. AS was about to
pick ID up a buzzing sound informed me
that the bush concealed RATHER.
with fright jumped back Just as the
fattened and wicked head Of the RATHER
punctured the top branches OF the bush aud
appeared in sight. / saw In a moment that
the snake was monstrous and wicked rep
tile
The RATHER was aggressive. With sur
prlstng alacrity IL cleared the bush and
darted for me. l reiterated quickly, with
my face to the serpent. 1t was ell that
could do 20 keep out OF the way OF the rep
tile.
at would jump nearly its full length,
then with lightning rapidiby it would coil
up, an instant later again jump.
The rattler pursued me for fully 100
yards before / Yves able to make the least
defense from its onslaught, only what my
legs permitted, and, let me tell you,
moved mighty rapid. too.
FINALLY the RATHER, from its exciting ex-
ertions. showed signs Of becoming tired
The ground over which we were passing
contained many stones of the size Of your
fist or larger.
"As retreated, constantly keeping my
eyes on the snake, picked up stone after
stone and hurled them at the RATHER IL Is
remarkable what accurate sight Kern
county snake possesses. Tho snake for
time, seemingly without effort, lodged the
rain of missiles which l sent at its writhing,
squirting body.
But mans superior endurance finally be-
came triumphant. With well-directed aim
l struck the RATHER on the head and the bat
tie was over.
THE RATHER measured feet So inches in
length. At the biggest part af It's body the
snake measured IN inches In circumfer-
ence."
In the box which Messenger Walton so
carefully PIT away among the archives of
the governors Office were the rattles OF the
INDUSTRIOUS and belliRerent brute. They
numbered fifty-four and button.