The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-18
SNAKES ACTITE IN FLORIDA.
a Farmers BOY freed in . Field by Eight Rat
tIcsnnkes Fond or Music.

M~AccLENNEY, Fla. April blowing to the
recent high water in this section, snakes have
been very plentiful for the last week or so. A
party of hunters were in Gum Swamp a few
days ago. While following the dogs two of the
hunters almost stumbled over a group Of five
~rattlers. The path was narrow, with thick I'm.
derbrush on either side of it, and the snakes
were in coils. completely blocking the path. The
dogs had passed them and had thus reused their
fighting blood.
As the hunters came up and saw the vicious
looking reptiles they halted. one OF them almost
stumbling over himself in his efforts TO keep
from stepping on the biggest of the snakes.
Without waiting for any prcliminarics. the
hvc ~rattlers set their rattles going and all
made springs toward the hunters. The latter
were just n trife too far off, and the snakes fell
to the ground writhing in front Of them. shak-
ing their rattles furiously and Kissing. Tho
hunters guns were raised and the heads of all
five snakes were blown off. One OF the reptiles
measured seven feet four inches and was as
large round as II mans leg. 1t had sixteen rat
ties and two buttons. 1t probably was tho
patriarch of the flock.
While working in his fathers field, just over
Turkey Creek. about half a mile from the house,
Ed Rose had II most uncomfortable experience
tho other day with ~rattlcrs. At noon he perched
nlulNt Ol lIC " VI u DE Nj STUMP ubou '
feet high and enjoyed his midday meal. Just n
he swallowed the last cruInb. and was about to
descend with n sigh of satisfaction. no heard a
rattle at his feet, and, looking down. saw a huge
RATHER, which to his vision appeared as big as n
barrel. Hastily gathering up. his legs, he stood
Simultaneous whir-r-r-r from tho other sides.
CHANGING around, he saw that he was completely
s s}s59 az ,Gam. by som 1Go of rffRR a ssnm 1aeT from Soi hIs
dinner had doubtless attracted them. and they
We're, all there arranged In little circles;
a big head. with a long red tongue and
fiery little red eyes blazing with viciousness.
while near tho, centre of the coil rose tho tail.
business. Rose did not know what 10 do. lilo
put his hands into his pocket in search. of some,
thing in tho way of n weapon. While fumbling
mouth.organ. and H. drew II forth with an idea
confusion. fBut just then two Of the big snakes
sRRcs eGsc Of t f,c" stump nSpo'S Tho .'; otheFs be began DSt to sc,
ready TO try offensive tactics.
Mechanically he raised the mouth-organ 10 his
! tho snnkcs suhsidod,, their %rattling grew less:
and they seemed to he in tn, iolliost sort Of
and all round tho big stump were seen the
heads OF the mGnS,Srsi wa Eh to 1c ana afr iro 81 keep,
i in.e s.il and % then he 'H thaSsh ia i, pi iiss for SH an Of in t@"
mission. But as he stopped the biGgcst of tho
snaks sSom began s,u Ta'fli nf U nSSin' o whii9 see 1neSS
an rhp"No - " "'hNi So" ,N'iN
RrSp"' Sa iSs s1p fo s% fiipF''A1 n ss n yi'SIiiiinxr hf fore
help he began again on the moulh.organ.,. The
strains Of The bonnie Blue Flag" "Annie
iiffopmc.' and "pixio'" rolled. as We'll as they
could. from his tired lips. and he worked away
for dear life. The big snakes seemed TO like
the strains OF Home, Sweet Home" and the
softer music, while the little fellows went into
c~cstacics over Yankee Doodle and ",Dixic,"
sQuirming over the ground in their pleasure.
Every, now and then he would stop for q moment
| md shout FOR nelD, but seemingly tnpy could
not hear him ut The house. Finally he managed
to strip OF his shirt, which he waved in tho air
with one hand while holding the organ with the
other. In about half an hour his signal was
seen. and two of his brothers came from the
house armed with shotguns. Tho eight snakes
were killed. and thon Ed descended from the
stump. 80 exhausted that he had to be half
carried 10 the hOus'.
The biggest OF tho serpcnts was six feet eight
inches long, and had ten rattlcs and two buttons.
Another OF the scrpCnts was not over four feet
long, with fifteen rattles and five buttons. but
was as large around M u mans thigh; in fact. II
was so big compared with its length that II
could hardly coil itself up.
In the last two weeks from twenty to thirty
big reptiles have been killed In this section, the
l high water driving them from thS swainDS.