The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-03-08
The Blacksnake and the Rattlers.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, February 23.-
A. thrilling fight between a blacksnake
and rattlesnake was witnessed on the
Cummings orange grove by q party of
gentlemen from Daytona. For. several
weeks past a blacksnake about ten feet
feet long has made its headquarters un-
der an old crib on the grove, appearing
occasionally, but never allowing himself
be killed. He wac as large around as
ones wrist and as fierce looking follow
as one would want to encounter. The
gentlemen were seated under large pal
metto tree enjoying the pleasant after
noon when they noticed rattlesnake
creep slowly and cautiously from the
crush heap and coil himself with head in
the air and eyss turned toward the party
as if to say "Here I am" One gentle.
men seized a club, but the others per-
auaded him to delay his attack and wstch
the reptile for awhile and see what it
would do. They had chance to size up
the stranger, which was about six feet
long and Of q grayish striped color. In a
few minutes the black snake was seen to
appear from under the crib, fifty feet dis
tant, and move slowly towards the rat
tlesnake.
"Now for fight" said Mr.. Bert
Walker, and the party drew back to give
the reptile full show. Noiselessly came
the big black fellow, carrying his head
high in the air and occasionally dropping
| lit, apparently studying the ground
around which he Was to make the attack.
1t was plainly evident that the black
snake wanted to fight. When within
twenty feet of the other creature he stop
ped, raised his head and the rattlesnake
saw him for the first time. The ground
between them was clear, not stick or
stone being noticed for many yards.
The rattlesnake raised his head and
threw out his tongue, and seemed to be
prepared for an encounter. They really
reminded one of couple of desperate
men just entering the.arena for a fight to
the death. Presently the black champion
started on a circle around his prey, near
er to the rattler every minute. The rat
tier never took his eye from his ap-
preaching enemy and his head going
around reminded the locker on of the
movements of corkscrew. When
within six feet of the rattler, the black
fellow few around so fast that you could
hardly tell what it was. 1t was like tax.
ing a string tied to stick and twirling it
with all ones might. Suddenly, the two
came together and Immediately became
entwined about each other, rolling over
and over in the dust. This lasted fully
five minutes. Then there was lull and
the blacksnake was seen TO have his ad-
versary by the throat with his mouth.
His body was twisted about the rattler's
body, and every few seconds he would give
a squeeze that sent the rattler 80 much
further toward his end.
In ten minutes the black hero dropped
the body of bis victim, blew himself up,
took one last look and then slowly wound
of into the brush.
1t was rare and remarkable scene and
thoroughly enjoyed by all the party.
One of the gentlemen raised up the dead
rattler on stick and found that he was
terribly gashed and mangled. Like the
boa constructor, the blacksnake does not
bite but crushes out the life of it's victim.
/