Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

Mr. Elaskim Thomas, returning on Saturday week, from an excursion on the Catskill mountains, heard a great rustling among the leaves close by, and presented the startling sound of rattles, apparently, of an enormous snake. He stood momentarily upon his guard, and it was well he did so, for, on looking about him, he presently discovered the appalling sight of a rattlesnake, with his head four feet from the ground, his body coil above coil, his eyes flashing fire, his skin every minute changing color, and long fangs displayed as in the very act of springing upon his intended victim.
Such a sight would have stricken terror into the soul of almost any other man, except the old gentleman in question. But Mr. Thomas elevated his rifle, which fortunately he had with him, and let fly a charge directly into the mouth of the snake, which passing through his brain and out the back of his head, killed him dead on the spot. He then dragged him to the village of Catskill. The snake was 11 feet 9 inches long. Circumference 12 inches, rattles 33, length of his fangs 2 inches. He must have been the patriarch of all “serpents.”
Catskill Recorder.