The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-25
.ErlaAr EVENING
A SNAKE HUNT.
The Novel Pastime Enjoyed in
South Carolina

olinas provide an abundance and va
riety Of game for the sportsman. and
on hot summers day he can bag as
many reptiles as he feels inclined TO.
A party Of rice planters organ
lied hunt at Inglesides, q
deserted South Carolina planta-
ton which had once been the
pride Of southern family. but the war
At any rats the place has been turned
over to the negroes and IS In the last
stages Of dilapidation.
Greatland was reached and short
ride beneath an avenue Of live oaks
brought the party to what had once
been great, fine country house.
Shall we have 10 60 far?' asked the
stranger
moi" exclaimed some one 70 the
right, as he made spring at something
in the dried grass
At first he could not make out what
It was, but suddenly a long yellow
snake, with great black links on its
back glided between his legs.
Catch himl Catch himr shouted
several voices.
Like a flash, the reptile glidel through
the grass with four men 10 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 strug-
gle ainong 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 a
mans powerful fingers clutched the
angry reptiles neck close to tie spotted
head. Triumphantly the captor arose
from the ground with the loathsome
body Of the snake wrapped about his
arm.
BAH said another, contemptuousIy.
"a chicken snakei 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,
It seemed contented. aud when placed
on the ground made no effort to escape,
but eagerly dipped Its forl1ed tongue in
some milk that was brought for another
purpose.
Some one suggested tnat the trophies
be hung on the dropping limbs Of live
oak and stout leather thong quickly
encireied the end Of the first victims
tail and secured it TO the limb. where
Il hung head downward. slowly swing
ing back and forth
The path then taken led along u bank
aome twelve feet in width Majestic
magnolias and mammoth azaleas lined
1t on either side, and the still water
was hidden by q tangled mass Of cup
shaped lotus leaves which foated on
its surface. The road was bad, and as
the men stumbled on aprolonged hiss
brought them to dead halt. And none
too soon, for there in the path lay fine
specimen Of the deadly copperhead. It
IL now an ornament Of the Charleston
museum.
Stretched across the road. the four
feet OF beautiful, copper-colored scales
Elistened in the sun. The ugly, fiat
head drew back: lazily the bulky body,
which was as large around as d mans
arm, formed itself into double circle.
= - "no IA ibkhblnR POoltlOus It's tAcau
was raised foot from the ground,
and the neck became horribly atten-
mated. No one was very anxious this
time to be the first to attempt the
capture Of a reptile whose bite meant
almost certain 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 everybody retired q
few feet with dispatch. A man in front
tripped and fell, and before he could
arise the loathsome reptile was prepar-
ing to strike at him. Quickly he rolled
over towards the side Of the bank, and
with angry Kisses the infuriated snake
followed. The man sprang up, but
his foot slipped Vim the, treacherous
mud, and, with asplash. he ell into the
canal The matted vines bore him up.
however
The others soon placed the prong ot
. stick behind the reptiles head, but
with sudden twisting of its body. 1t
freed itself again and slipped into the
water The man tangled in the vines
q yelled and was badly frightened as the
triangular head cut through the water
IN hisdirection- His eyes closed and his
pale face sank lower among the vines.
Then an aged college professor who
had Insisted upon accompanying tile
party sprang forward, and selling the
overhanging bough Of a Young bay
tree lowered himself until BE could
touch the water, then put out thin
but muscular hand and seized the snake
just behind the head not an instant Toe
soon.
The next captive was 4 pretty milk
snake, about three feet in length. II
came wriggling through the grass, and
the professor seized II by the body
The agile little creature squirmed and
Kissed. but without much difficulty II
was strung up with the others Tive
pretty golden chains ran down eact
side Of the delicate gray back, which
seemed 70 change color and brilliaucy
witheyery movement
The professor and the visitor wan
dered aimlessly through an old field o.
sinobfe, and were crossing an old di.cl
when arustling sound in the dry pras.
attracted their attention A few leave,
moved and bright, glossy thing glist
ened ~ the sun As il, moved the pro
feasor's eyes bulged, and without