Photographing Reptiles, etc. 233 



things that came flashing through my brain as 

 we glared into each other's eyes during that 

 extremely long instant of time was ' What a pic- 

 ture the fellow would make ! ' What an eye ! 

 Never before had I been so close to a free and 

 angry rattler. I saw no blazing eye darting fire, 

 that I had read about, nor was there any of the 

 terrible fury in it with which the timid deer turns 

 on his pursuer when brought to bay. It was clear 

 and brilliant, but it seemed to me cold and cal- 

 culating and, oh ! so fiercely intent. Before I left 

 that canon I made up my mind I would have a 

 camera. 



" Next summer found me on the road to the 

 San Bernardino Mountains, armed with a four by 

 five camera of the ' press-the-button ' type." 



He had some little trouble in finding the 

 rattlers now that he wanted them, but finally his 

 quest was rewarded. 



" He was already coiled, and as I dismounted 

 he began to sound his rattle. He stood his 

 ground fearlessly, as is generally the case, knowing 

 his deadly power and probably knowing the fear 

 in which he is held. The increasing darkness 

 prevented any photographing on the spot, and 

 the only thing to be done was to take him 

 alive. After an exciting struggle among the 

 rocks I succeeded in pinning him down with a 

 forked stick. ... I seized him by the neck and 



