The Washington times., 1894-06-06
RATTLERS BY HUNDREDS.
Uncomfortable Experience of a Negro Boy
While Rabbit Hunting in Texas.
l2l7 Pa. Ave. N. W.

Uncomfortable Experience of a Negro Boy
While Rabbit Hunting in Texas.
A negro boy named Isaac Munroe recently
struck bonanza near Harlem Switch, Tex,
in fallen tree. from which he drove and
killed over 800 rattlesnakes. Munroe was
out hunting rabbits with his dog. and was in
full chase OF q mule tear when the little
creature ran into the hollow end of the tree.
1t almost Immediately ran out again, and,
even before the dog could seize it. rolled over
and over on the ground in great pain. the
boy observing that blood was issuing from
what appeared to be nunberless pin pricks
all over its body. Before he could notice
anything else OF its symptoms the dog had
torn the rabbit TO pieces. Then curious to
know what had happened to the rabbit In
the tree. Munroe tried to drive the dog into
the trunk but the cur evinced decided OBJ
lection to entering it, and had TO be beaten
before il would venture to DO as his master
desired
II had barely got its body inside when. with
a shrill yelp. it backed out, whining and
bleeding. in the same unusual manner as the
rabbit. The boy now stopped down and
looked into the tree. but, though he fancied
that he could see several points of light, he
could hnG nothing TO account for the singu-
lar appearance of the dog and rabbit
Not contented with this. the negro was
foolish enough to thrust in his arm to see if
he could feel that which he was unable 10 see.
He felt something strike him. and drawing
his arm out hastily. he saw hanging to his
sleeve Il tremendous rattlesnake. The crea-
tuTe was caught in the wooden garment by its
fangs and was unable to release itself.
Munroe was afraid to shake the snake off
lest he could not manage to kill it quick
enough. and it should attack his bare feet
Calling companion that was at work near
by he waited. with the snake trying to en-
,wine itself about his arm. The boy who
came to Nonroe's assistance. seeing what the
trouble was, caught up a stick and Munroe,
shaking of the rattlsr. killed the reptile with
a blow.
The dog was dead by this time. and look
ing at him the boy decided that the snake
must have bitten him several time. They
then so: down 70 search the tree for the eggs
the reptile might have left and from which
fresh brood might come. but as they did so
second monster rEttler ran out of the tree.
giving the boys only time enough to leap to
one side. Convinced now that there was even
more IN the tree the young negroes secured a
sack. and, holding it open at one end. they
built al the other fire. and soon the snakes.
with which the tree was fairly alive. broke
olt of il by the dozen. and running into the
sack were dispatched by the boys.
Pains had TO be taken in killing them. so as
to bruise only the head. as the skin when
whole has a commercial value: but the ne
Sroes were expert al the thing and succeeded
in crushing the skull only. Once the writh-
ing Of the trapped serpents was so great as to
cause the stone with which they had confined
open end OF the sack TO roll on one side. and
the whole lot would have escaped had not the
other boy placed his naked foot on it.
He was promptly bitten. and it was only by
the most heroic measures that his life was
saved. In a couple of hours his body was
swollen to nearly twice its normal size, and
his teeth were so locked that it was necessary
to administer chlOroform to wrench them
apart. Munroe sold his skins in Houston for
S1.50 apiece. many buying them for belts,
while others invested in them as charm to
prevent rheumatism.
This is the alternating season for snakes,
but owing TO the continued warm weather it
is thought that they remained far from tor
pid. as they usually are during the winter,
though they sought the fallen tree for their
cold weather sleep.-Chicago Times.