CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
tions, such as half-decayed leaves, loose earth, etc. Then, 
pushing his flashlight down into the hole, he darkens its depths 
by pressing his face squarely into the mouth of the hole. 
Nothing unusual to see him arise, leisurely remarking, as much 
to himself as to the writer—“Yep. He’s in thar, an’ a big 
one, too.” And he should know, since he was looking him 
squarely in the eye, and at close range. Then comes the ardu¬ 
ous task of excavation. These holes often practically parallel 
the surface of the ground. Where such condition prevails, it 
is a very simple operation, provided one proceeds quietly, to 
excavate beyond the reptile, thus trapping him between the 
original doorway and the newly dug hole. 
The rattler is little disposed to fight while in winter quarters, 
and will not do so until actually uncovered and exposed to 
broad daylight, which he did not welcome. His one desire is 
to sleep the winter away in peace. He shows little resentment 
of an intruder, provided he is not crowded out, or drawn out, 
into the open. He is not exactly at himself when cramped for 
room in which to strike, and he does not feel disposed to strike 
until everything is in his favor—he wants room in which to 
rear his head, and such room is not available in either a hollow 
log or the gopher’s dugout. 
When the rattler has been uncovered with the spade he 
usually rears his horrid head out of the loose earth, begins 
singing his rattles, while his black, forked tongue darts out 
challengingly in the direction of his tormentors. At this stage 
a noose is fixed on the end of a stick and let down easily over 
his head, with the aid of which he is gently drawn from his 
cozy quarters and deposited in the burlap bag awaiting him. 
Once in the bag he can be carried along as safely as a kitten, 
provided the necessary caution is exercised. 
Mates usually find quarters conveniently near each other, 
and it not infrequently happens that a small colony is estab¬ 
lished on a single hillside. Uncle Dave rejoices when he makes 
such a find. True enough, he is none the richer by reason of 
such a lucky find, but it is not for profit that he hunts them, 
but rather that his revenge may be more complete. 
The following line of the Scripture leaves no room for doubt 
