Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-03-25
PRICE ONE CENT
rnr vnsonous rARAsrur..
tn an Encounter lie Ruls a Rnttls-
snake in Ten Mtnutes


lt IS quite common thing among the
soldiers Of Arizona TO pit tarann,las
against each other and bet on the fight
ing pawers Of their favorites. This fact
undoubtedly suggested te the clerks in
II. III. Tammens curiosity store in Dem
yer the idea of getting up a fight he
tween large and lively tarantula aud
rattlesnsRe.
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, SO there
was not much probability of an iuteuup-
ton. The big snake was driven into one
end Of his cage and partition let down
to keep him safe, so the tarantula could
be introduced.
The little sliding door at the other end.
carefully protected by q closely-woven
wire screen, was raised and the tarantula
slipped into the compartment Then the
partition was pulled up and eager eyes
peered through the glass sides of tho
cage to witness the result. The tarantula
arose and bristled all over like chestnut
burr, the rattlesnake reared its head and
thrust forth its forked tongue with tho
rapidity Of lightning. Thus the two
strange and deadly creatures remained
for a moment gazing at each other. Sud
denly there was heard the thrilling
whirr of the snakes rattles and with tho
plancy of q steel spring the snake threw
himself into coil with his head raised
in the center and vibrating rapidly from
side to side. The tarantula was as inn
movable rs If carved in stone.
Suddenly, with a motion almost too
1wift for the eve TO follow, the rattler
struck, but he missed his mark, for tho
tarantula, with the speed OF lightning,
bounded into the air, and, descending on
one of the serpent's coils sunk lis fangs
into the flesh. The snake instantly began
thrashing around the cage and dislodged
his foe.
Again the tarantula became immov-
able, and again the serpent coiled and
struck. only TO be foiled. Fire seemed
TO flash from the eyes of both the con
testants, and both appeared to know that
it was fight 10 the death.
lnefe WIS now n tletnutOuh uOtiOn VS.
IDLE in every limb OF the tarantula, aud
it was evident that he was contemplating
offensive measures. With the leap Of a
tiger he bounded upon his foe aud once
more sank his fangs into the body Of tho
snake. This time it was ia vain for the
serpent to writhe and founder, for the
tarantula clung 10 his enemy with the
tenacity Of a bulldog, The spider was
bruised and beaten, some OF his legs were
broken, but he held on with desperate
courage, and gradually the efforts of tho
rattlergrew weake4, until at last his coils
relaxed and with only faint vibration
of his tail 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. aud
was most thrilling exhibition Of ferocity
and courage. The quickness of motion
exhibited by the tarantula was marvel.
Gus, aud through it he avoided being
struck by the serpent. The dead serpent
was evidence against the clerks, and they
had to confess TO the proprietor that they
had introduced the tarantula TO the ser.
pent with result none OF them had an
ticipated. Great Divide