The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-23
A SNAKE HUNT.
The Novel Pastime Enjoyed in
South Carolina

The low, swampy rice fields Of the Car
olinas provide an abundance and va
riety OF game for the sportsman. and
on hot summers day he can bag rs
many reptiles as he feels inclined TO.
A party OF rice planters organ
lied a hunt at Inglesides, a
deserted South Carolina planta-
ton which had once been the
pride Of southern family, but the war
had exterminated the male members
At any rate the place has been turned
over 70 the negroes and Is in tho last
stages Of dilapidation-
Greatland was reached and short
ride beneath an avenue Of live oaks
brought the party 70 what had once
been great, fine country house.
shall we have 70 60 far7" asked the
stranger.
Nor exclaimed some ono 70 the
right, as he made spring at something
In the dried grass
Al FIRST he could not make out what
II was but suddenly q long yellow
snake, with graz black links on It's
back glided between his legs.
Catch hml Catch himr- shouted
several voices
Like flash the reptile glidef through
the grass with four men IN pursuit.
Suddenly some one quickly doubled up
aud then threw himself on the ground.
I've got him, he exclaimed, and for
the next few minutes there was d strug-
gle among the dried leaves that was
highly exciting The snake, which was
about six feet in length AMI as large
round as mans wrist, twisted,
wriggled and fought, but its captor
knew how to handle the deceptive folds,
and in spite Of Kisses and fanFs strong
hand was slowly passed forward until q
mans powerful fingers clntchcd the
angry reptiles neck close tothe spotted
head. Triumphantly the captor arose
from the ground with the loathsome
body Of the snake wrapped about his
arm.
.Bahrn said another, contemporary,
"a chicken snallel No more fight in
one Of them than there Is in kitten. :"
His remark proved true. for, after the
creature was stroked for few minutes,
Il seemed contented and when placed
on the ground made no effort to escape,
but eagerly dipped its forled tongue in
some milk that was brought for another
purpose.
Some ono suggested that the trophies
be hung on the dropping limbs Of live
oak and stout leather thong quickly
encircled the end Of the first victims
tail and secured II TO the limb, where
II hung head downward. slowly swing
ing back and forth.
The path then taken led along bank
aome twelve feet in width. Majestic
magnolias and mammoth azaleas lined
IL on either side. and the still water
was hidden by tangled mass of cup
shaped lotus leaves which foated on
It's surface. The road was bad, and as
the men stumbled on prolonged hiss
brought them to dead halt. And none
too soon, for there In the path lay fine
specimen Of the deadly copperheadl It
10 now an ornament Of the Charleston
museum
Stretched across the road, the four
feet Of beautiful, scoppercolored scales
glistened in the sun. The ugly, fiat
head drew back; fazify the bulky body,
which was as large around as mans
arm. formed itself into double circle
1t was in fighting position. Its head
was raised foot from the ground,
and the neck became horribly atten-
uated. No one was very anxious this
time TO be the first to attempt the
capture Of reptile whose bite meant
almost 3certain death. Slowly stick
was thrust forward. The snake arched
Its neck until it was seen above the
head, which was suddenly drawn back,
and then, with lightning like rapility,
It shot forward. The serpent's jaws
were widely distended as IL struck the
wood with its fangs. greenish liquid
squirted out upon the ground several
feet ahead, and rybody retired a
few feet with dispatch. A man in front
tripped and fell, and before he could
arise the loathsome reptile was prepar-
ing to strikes at him. Quickly he rolled
over towards the side OF the bank, and
with angry Kisses the Infatuated snake
followed. The man sprang up, bat
his foot slipped in the treacherous
mud, and, with splash, he fell into the
canal The matted vines bore him up,
however.
The others soon placed the prong D,
stick behind the reptiles head, hui
s4l5 WAth t1uuucn TWISTING OF us DOuy ii
freed itself again and slipped into the
water The man tangled in the vines
yelled and was badly frightened as the
triangular head cut Through the water
In his direction. His eyes closed and hi.
pale face sank lower among the vines
Then an aged college professor whc
had insisted upon accompanying Tile
party sprang forward, and seizing the
Qverhanging bough Of a young bal
tree lowered himself until be could
touch the water, then put out q thir
but muscular hand and seized the snake
just behind the head not an instant toS
soon.
The next captive was pretty mill
snake, about three feet in length II
came wriggling through the grass, anC
the professor seized 1t by the body
The agile little creature squirmcd anc
5 Missed. but without much difficulty Il
was strung up with the others Tive
pretty golden chains ran down eacl
side Of the delicate gray back, which
seemed to change color and brilliauoy
with every movement
I The professor and the visitor van
dered aimlessly through an old field 8
stubble, and were crossing an old ditcl
when arhstling sound in the dry gras
attracted their attention. A few leave