FREAK SNAKE STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1920, Page 4

FREAK SNAKE STORY

A MYSTERY AND THE EXPLANATTON. SYDNEY, Jan. 14.

A butcher from Eudunda, South Australia, was driving his cart along a country road when something moving in a fence caught his eye. He got down from his cart and investigated, and found a large, venomous snake, apparently engaged in a fearful struggle with the wires of the fence. He attacked the reptile and killed it. He discovered then, to his utter amazement, that the snake was securely bound to the wire by his tail, by a piece of strong cord. The butcher became very thoughtful, but he could not refute the evidence of his own eyes. So he carried his tale into Eudunda, somewhat timidly. His worst expectations were realised. Who, he was asked, would tie up a venomous snake by the tail? Doubt was cast upon his solemn word and upon his habits. The mystery was cleared up, and the reputation of a respectable tradesman re-established by the arrival of a district farmer in town. He had been driving home on the day in question, he said, when he saw a large snake on the roadside. He stopped his cart,; and went in pursuit. The snake escaped into a large, hollow fencing post—but he left a few inches of his tail sticking out. The farmer, more by way of a freakish joke than anything, doubled the reptile’s tail over the wire and tied it firmly with a sailors’ knot. Then he drove on again. The snake, of course, pretty soon backed out of his retreat, and was having a wild argument with himself over the wire when the butcher came along .