818 UPLAND AND MEADOW. 



he surveyed his snakeship carefully, but made no at- 

 tempt to molest him. A few days later he found the 

 same snake on the fence, as before, and approaclied a 

 little nearer. This continued for a couple of weeks, 

 when the snake permitted itself to be gently stroked 

 about the head and bod}' ; and from this time an in- 

 timacy sprang up between the snake and that gentle- 

 irmn which lasted for several years, when the snake sud- 

 denly disappeared. 



A curious feature of this case was that, even when ac- 

 companied by the gentleman in whom the snake had so 

 much confidence, it would never permit a stranger to 

 touch it. If they persisted, it would dart to its under- 

 ground retreat. 



My own experiences with black snakes are quite lim- 

 ited, but that they are cunning, and therefore intelligent, 

 I have no doubt. A chance remark of Ileckewelder's, 

 in his work on "Indian Nations," seems to indicate tliat 

 the Indians had long been convinced that it was a cun- 

 ning serpent, and I am disposed to accept their testi- 

 mony in such matters as essentially correct. Hecke- 

 welder says the Indians gave to Gen. Wayne the name 

 of " Black Snake," because they say he had all the cun- 

 ning of this animal, who is superior to all other snakes 

 in the manner of procuring his food. He hides himself 

 in the grass, with his head only above it, watching all 

 around to see where the birds are building their nests, 

 that he may know where to find the young ones when 

 they are hatched. 



Assuming this to be true, we have here an instance 

 not only of cunning, but of a very excellent memory. 



