The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-07
Buck Always T.sere, Even
 at Killing Rattlesnakes

harlSs. and if they could have heard Oliver would never have thrust only a flashlight into his hip pocket, and leaving his gun on the ground, climbed that gnarled old oak tree in the pitch black darkness. But this he did, fearlessly and glad. his heart beating high with the joy of the hunt.
 "Shinned" Up the Tree
 On up the tree then he "shinned." Cautiously now lest the animal es- cape. He had almost reached the top and still no sign of life. The dogs quieted down one by one, as they knew their master had the affair well in hand now, and as the noise grew less, a furious buzzing sound came to the boy in the tree, the bug zing of rattlesnake beyond a doubt
 Divers heart stood still. The snake sounded as if he had thousand rat tles Where was he? Beneath him. Oliver had passed him on the way up. He must have been out on a-imb then, but he was undoubtedly be- meath him now on the tree trunk He flashed the light downward. Yes there he was, a great speckled body a few feet below him, his forked tongue protruding at intervals as he gave his warning signal, his diamond shaped head and bright beady eyes gleaming under the rays of the flash light. Oliver had no gun and he knew his enemy too well to approach the infuriated reptile single handed He thought fast.
 No use in calling to the boys be- low, they couldn't hear him, and if they should, they couldn't help him. The branches at this height were not lOner anntIph n nnrpnit biS crawling out on one, swinging out and drop ping to the earth beneath.
 A Fighting Snake
 The snake meant fight. He brought his great body up a little nearer and went to rattling warnings. He was ready to strike, and Oliver in his per ilous perch could not go higher or move out of his position. Only one chance in thousand would save him. He thought of the faithful old Walker hound at the foot of the tree. If the other dogs failed, would old Buck this time? He never had failed in time of need. Oliver had played ball well in school. Why not aim well with flashlght and knock the reptile off his perch to the ground? He would take a chance anyhow. Looking at the snake with the flashligSt on him he gauged where he was when getting ready to throw, then in the total dark ness he hurled the light with all his strength. For an instant there was quiet, then the thud of the flash light on the ground, the rushing for ward of many dogs barking and scrambling over each other. They seemed disappointed and scattered as if their master had thrown at them, Then. after what seemed an inter minal interval there was another and softer thud.
 old Buck on the Job
 All the dogs again rushed forward with loud yelps, then scattered again all except old Buck. He recognized his masters wish, and with all his lythe strength he sprang forward alone. The snake coiled, rattled and sprang, but Buck was too quick for him. Dodging, he met the reptile half way, and catching his huge body between his strong white teeth, shook him with all his might. beating the diamond shaped head frantically on the ground until his master once more had his feet on mother earth and the other campers came with many lights and guns to his rescue.
 But the rattlesnake was dead.