TRAVELS Iff 
9.6 <1 
CHAP. X. 
But let us again refume the fubjedt of the rat- 
tle fnake; a wonderful creature, when we confider 
his form, nature and dilpofition. It is certain 
that he is capable by a pundbure 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 fafter than a man or child can walk, 
and he is never known to ftrike until he is firft 
affaulted or fears himfelf in danger, and even then 
always gives the earlieft 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, moft numerous and fuppofed to be the moft 
venemous and vindicative) fte ( pt unknowingly foclofe 
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 ftillandmotionlefs asif 
inanimate, his head crouched in, his eyes almoft 
fhut. I precipitately withdrew, unlefs when I have 
been fo fhocked with furprife and horror as to be in 
a manner ri vetted to the fpot, for a fhort time not 
having ftrength to go away ; when he often flowly 
extends himfelf and quietly moves off in a diredt 
line, unlefs purfued, when he eredts his tail as far as 
the rattles extend, and gives the warning alarm by 
intervals. But if you purfue and overtake him with 
a ihew of enmity, he inftantly throws himfelf into 
