The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-08
QUEER PHILADELPHIA SNAKES.
MIR. Adams's Account of Remarkable
Reptile Encounter.

John Adams. the ''Necker'' sportsman,
who discovered the horned-tailed snake
and lost his stumpy-tailed dog at the
same time, has decided to take up pho
Biography in order that he can authenti-
cate his hunting stories when his friends
dispute them. Adams's veracity was
never questioned until last Thursday.
when he had an experience that put all
others in the shade.
The horned-tailed snake episode paled
and was cast into comparative insignifi-
canoe when Adams related his latest ad-
ventures. Adams had sworn Vengea nee
upon all snakes because his dog was
killed by the hcrned-tailers. Thursday
morning, before sun-up, he started for
the marshes. accompanied by a pointer
dog, which belonged to a friend There
was heavy mist over the river, and the
fog banks hung thick over the bog.
Adams heard the whistle of a solitary
jack snipe. and he halted until he could
locate the bird. He initiated the snipe's
call and soon had the bird within shoot
ing distance. He knew the bird was
within range, but he could not see
through the fog. and was obliged TO keep
calling the bird until he could locate
him. Presently the fog lifted and
through a rift Adams saw the Jack snipe
pecking away at a bunch of grass not
thirty feet from him. Adams raised his
gun and sent charge of No. shot after
the bird. He saw It fiutter and then the
fog lowered. completely obscuring every
thing. Adams had the location of the
Dlfd, out there was deep water between
them, and he concluded to remain where
ne was until the fog lifted again.
While Adams was waiting he heard
something that sounded like steam es-
Gaping. 1t grew louder all the time. and
above the noise could be heard the plain
tive whistle Of a jack snipe. Adams was
puzzled So was the dog. Both knew
that something was wrong. The snipe's
whistle soon attracted a flock of his
friends but Adams was so much inter-
ested In what he did not know was GO
ing on in the fog bank that he forgot
To take a shot at them. In a few mo
ments the fog lifted, and across the
marsh i'm the light OF the rising sun Ad-
ans saw the jack snipe he had shot.
The BIRDS wings were broken, but he
stood up defantly and whistled and
whistled. Now and then he would peck
ON either side of him viCiously and try
TO raise his broken wings Adams
thought he would secure the bird for
decoy and he determined to capture him
alive. He walked around the marsh and
got within fifteen feet of the snipe when
he saw two snakes almost at the snipe's
feet They were tied in a half-dozen
knots and were striking at each other
with all their strength.
Il recognized a horned-tail and a
double-headed snake" said Adams. land
as representatives Of one family had
killed my dog and the others had eaten
him, i determined to capture them with
the snipe. They heard me coming and
stopped fighting only for a moment The
horned-tail had the best at the start,
as he hit with his head and struck with
his tail. but the dOuble-headed snake
soon got on to the horned-tail's curves
and hit and fought with both heads
and tied himself i'm knot around the
horned-tail's middle.
In the meantime the Jack snipe was
peclSing away at both reptiles and l en-
joyed the three-cornered fight more than
1 can tell. Suddenly 1 heard a yelp, and,
looking around. saw my dog scurrying
away. hOrned-tail had struck him.
started to call him, but he was off like
the wind. When / again turned my at
tention TO the snakes / saw the double
headed snake making across the marsh
with the snipe in one mouth and drag
ging the horned-tail along with the
other. The latter was dead. | fired
three cartridges at the double-ender, but
he hurried along faster, and disappeared
across a stream"
Adams says that he thinks that he
will get camera so he can photograph
the curious happenings which may here
after come to him.-Philadelphia Press.