RATTLESNAKE HISTORY, 287 



tains called Rattlesnake Den ; and to this cavern the snakes 

 made an annual pilgrimage, collecting from vast distances, 

 no matter what obstacles were in their way. Across rivers 

 and lakes, and up mountain sides, straight to their Den they 

 would go, and in those unapproachable caverns lie en masse 

 in a torpid state until aroused by the coming summer, when 

 they would venture forth again and descend into the valleys. 



These were the times for the grand battues, one of which, 

 an event of Catlin's boyhood, is narrated by him. 



One of the first spring days, when the creatures creep 

 out to sun themselves for only a few hours, retiring 

 again at night, was the time chosen for the onslaught. The 

 snakes were known to come forth from Rattlesnake Den 

 on to a certain ledge of rock near their cavern ; and a 

 council of war was held as to the best approach and mode 

 of attack. Ten years previously a similar war had been 

 waged, when the reptiles had been almost exterminated ; 

 but of late so many accidents had occurred among the 

 inhabitants through the fast-increasing serpents, that the 

 farmers agreed to climb to the den and once more reduce 

 their numbers. The boy Catlin was privileged to be of 

 the party, and he was told to creep cautiously to an 

 overhanging rock, whence he could see the reptiles sunning 

 themselves on their ledge below. The rest of the party 

 stood in readiness, club in hand. At a signal young Catlin 

 fired a fowling-piece into their midst. There was a knot 

 of them ' like a huge mat wound and twisted and interlocked 

 together, with all their heads like scores of hydras standing 

 up from the mass.' Into this horrible cluster he 'let fly,' 

 when the party, rushing with their clubs, broke the spine of 



