262 
TRAVELS m 
CHAP. X. 
But let us again refume the fubjecl: of the rat- 
tle fnake ; a wonderful creature, when we confider 
his form, nature and difpofition. It is certain 
that he is capable by a puncture or fcratch of one 
of his fangs, not only to kill the largeft animal in 
America, and that in a few minutes time, but to 
turn the whole body into corruption ; but fuch is 
the nature of this dreadful reptile, that he cannot 
run or creep falter than a man or child can walk, 
and he is never known to ftrike until he is firft 
afTaulted or fears himfelf in danger, and even then 
always gives the earliefl warning by the rattles at 
the extremity of the tail. I have in the courfe of 
my travels in the Southern ftates (where they are the 
largeft, mod numerous and fuppofed to be the moil 
venemous and vindictive) ftept unknowingly fo clofe 
as almoft to touch one of them with my feet, and 
when I perceived him he was already drawn up in 
circular coils ready for a blow. But however in-, 
credible it may appear, the generous, I may fay 
magnanimous creature lay as {till and modonlefs as if 
inanimate, his head crouched in, his eyes almoft 
fhut. I precipitately withdrew, unlefs when I have 
been fo fhocked with furprife and hon or as to be in 
a manner rivetted to the fpot, for a Ihort time not 
having ftrength to go away ; when he often flowly 
extends himfeif and quietly moves off in a direct 
.line, unlefs purfued, when he erects his tail as far as 
the rattles extend, and gives the warning alarm by 
intervals. But if you purfue and overtake him with 
a fiiew of enmity, he inftantly throws himfelf into 
