78 BOULDER REVERIES. 



did not offer to strike, though it vibrated its tail 

 in rapid rustling motion, after the manner of a 

 rattler. The dog, gaining courage, finally 

 seized it by the tip of the tail and ran across the 

 yard, all the time shaking it vigorously as it 

 would a rat. When finally dropped the snake's 

 defensive instinct was aroused and it quickly 

 assumed that loose, half coil or fighting attitude, 

 which would enable it to strike most viciously. 

 It followed with gleaming eye every movement 

 of the dog and whenever he approached close 

 enough, would strike with full force, while the 

 dog would dodge back and bark the louder. 

 Finally a second and larger dog joined in the 

 attack. Between them they diverted the snake's 

 attention in such a manner that the large one 

 was enabled to seize it by the mid-body and give 

 it a savage crunch. The small dog, not to be 

 outdone, again seized it by the tail and went 

 galloping across the yard. The fighting vigor of 

 the snake was now about gone and it soon suc- 

 cumbed to the attacks of its canine enemies. It 

 was about four and a half feet in length and 

 when first attacked by the dogs gave out a very 



