316 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



wounded part grows swollen, but the swelling extends 

 gradually over the whole body, and makes it of as varie- 

 gated a color as the snake ; and further he speaks, as if 

 certain, of an annual return of the symptoms shown 

 in the first instance.* Everywhere I informed my- 

 self of the rattle-snake, and the copper-belly, (also called 

 moccason-snake), the bite of which is quite as poison- 

 ous. The different accounts given by the country- 

 people are of one accord that these noxious beasts are 

 much less numerous than they once were. In the 

 more settled parts almost all of them that showed 

 themselves have been killed, and it is not so dangerous 

 a feat as might be thought. The rattle-snake betrays 

 itself by the characteristical noise of its tail. The at- 

 tention is aroused and the snake is reconnoitred. It 

 seldom seeks to run off, but rears up in a posture of 

 defence. It may be safely observed at a distance, and 

 if stones or sticks of wood are at hand it is easy to 

 kill it or at least lame it so that it cannot glide or 

 venture any more dangerous springs. Precisely speak- 

 ing, the snake does not bite except with its mouth wide- 

 open, and springing, strikes at the object with its eye- 

 teeth, placed in the rear upper jaw. It does not follow 

 after, and is not easily roused to attack, unless come 

 upon suddenly in the high grass or the bush. Nobody 

 runs from it farther than is needful to get beyond the 

 danger of its first spring. It can spring scarcely 

 farther than its length, but can repeat its spring sev- 

 eral times, (this rarely happens), in quick succession. 

 For the rest, its gait and movements are slow. Even 

 children are not afraid to attack it with stones or 



* Carver's Travels, English edit. p. 449, 450. 



