TRAVELS 
CHAP* X. 
But let us again re fume the fubjeft of the rat- 
tle fnake ; a wonderful creature, when we confider 
his form, nature, and difpofition. It is certaki 
that he is capable by a pundture or fcratch of one 
of his fangs, not only to kill the larged 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 fader than a man or child can walk, 
and he is never known to drike until he is firft 
affaulted or fears himfelf in danger, and even then 
always gives the earlied warning by the rattles at 
the extremity of the tail. I have in the courfe of 
my travels in the Southern dates (where they are the 
larged, mod numerous and fuppofed to be the mod 
venomous and vindictive) dept unknowingly fo clofe 
as aimod to touch one of them with my feet, and 
when I perceived him he was already drawn up ir* 
circular coils ready for a blow^ But, however in- 
credible it may appear, the generous, I may fay 
magnanimous creature lay as dill and motionlefs as if 
inanimate, his head crouched in, his eyes aimod 
ihut. I precipitately withdrew, unlefs when I have 
been fo ihocked with furprife and horror as to be in 
a manner rivetted to the fpot, for a fhort time not 
having ftrength to go away ; when he often dowly 
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. Rut if you purfue and overtake him with 
a &ew of enmity, he indantly throws himfelf into 
