CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
131 
to be a finish fight, the rattler crawled up against a large pine 
tree. This was done deliberately, and for well-considered rea¬ 
sons—that he might have only one front to defend. Just the 
same one front proved too many with Uncle Dave attacking 
on that front. The job having been well done, he gathered up 
his tackle and proceeded on his mission. He had judged by 
the phase and position of the moon and the direction of the 
wind that fish would bite well that afternoon, and his signs did 
not fail him. Ere the sun had reached the horizon he had fish 
quite sufficient for his needs, consequently reasoned that he 
would not permit darkness to overtake him in the dense swamp. 
Then, too, he entertained some suspicion that the mate of the 
slain rattler might be lurking in the vicinity, hence it would be 
the part of wisdom to pass this danger point en route home 
before the approach of dusk. Even his trained eye would not 
prove adequate to detect one’s dull brown form, thus handi¬ 
capped. On arriving at the spot where the diamond-back had 
1—The old gentleman was glad when he made the discovery that one 
pup among his litter was endowed with “snake-sense.” He needed no 
thrashing to impress upon him the fact that diamond-backs were deadly— 
he knew instinctively that they were his most deadly enemy. With a bit 
of preliminary training he would leash the dog, to keep him under per¬ 
fect control, thus hunting down and destroying many which would other¬ 
wise have made their escape. Otto appears to have lost interest in the 
chase—he has a hunch that his master put him on back-track. 
2, 3—During the summer months, when the lowlands are completely 
overflowed, is an excellent time to hunt. They abandon the flooded 
swamps, crawling upon road beds, or concealing themselves among wild 
shrubs bordering the flooded area. 
If they should choose to remain within the confines of the swamp they 
almost invariably crawl upon some floating log to await the passing of 
the flood water. 
More likely than not they elect to go to the high land, knowing that 
the rabbits have preceded them—they appear to have no dread of water 
whatever. 
4 —Diamond-backs, like members of the human family,, vary greatly 
temperamentally. Occasionally one is found to be so peaceably disposed 
that he could safely be carried about with ungloved hands. Others are 
real gangsters in the animal kingdom, ready to strike instantly at the 
sight or sound of any passerby. This fellow belonged definitely to the 
latter class. Having concluded definitely that he did not want to go to 
jail he fought so desperately, lashing out in all directions that he threw 
himself free from the noose. His captors gave him a wide berth until 
some member of the party could do the job all over again. 
5, 6—When the old gentleman lassoes a giant and vicious specimen 
nothing delights him more than to humble his pride. Once subdued and 
securely tied up he makes him open up and show his deadly fangs. 
