CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
49 
every movement of those seeking him. Due to the nature of 
the markings about his head and neck, or should we say lack 
of markings, these parts of his anatomy are about as nearly 
invisible as anything imaginable. The sheerest deposit of grass 
or straw over his main body will render it completely invisible. 
Under such circumstances, if one values his life, he must comb 
every single inch of ground trodden, and at all hazards avoid 
stepping upon deposits of grass which have not been pried into. 
The least departure from such practice might very easily ter¬ 
minate in fatal consequences. During this crucial phase of the 
hunt he dares not move his head, neither dart his black forked 
tongue, lest it betray his presence. 
Unless trodden under foot, or deliberately provoked, he is 
very docile and slow to anger. Those of nervous temperament, 
or highly excitable natures, should under no circumstances haz¬ 
ard their lives by engaging in such a dangerous pastime. One 
has not the slightest assurance that they will not be found 
standing within six inches of his head before discovering his 
presence. Under such circumstances it takes a man with cool 
and steady nerve to pass on without behaving unseemly. To 
jump like a frightened mule, screaming at the same time, is 
likely to call forth instant action on the part of the serpent. 
His reflexes take care of the situation for him, and you are 
likely to be bitten, when it was his will, purpose and desire to 
remain at peace. 
Reptiles do not trust men, and for good reason. If it were 
possible for all mankind to adopt a wholly uniform attitude 
toward them, then an eventual and enduring truce might be 
arranged. Where the same men work with the same reptiles 
for long they lose their desire for war with them on sight, and 
can be handled with comparative ease. If an utter stranger 
shows up among those who normally visit with him he almost 
invariably goes into a rage. The following incident serves to 
illustrate the point. A darkey who was engaged working pine 
trees in the woodland ran upon one, but, being afraid, passed 
him by. The reptile crawled into some nearby shrubbery, 
knowing full well that he had been seen. It finally came to the 
point that the serpent didn’t mind an encounter with the 
