The Turnbo Manuscripts
by Silas Claiborne Turnbo
1844-1925
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HOW A RATTLER CHARMED A SQUIRREL
By S. C. Turnbo
Referring to serpents charming small animals, Mr. John B. Hudson who lives on Georges Creek in Marion County, Ark., has this to say about it.
"It is something strange how a serpent fascinates a small animal and
cause it to approach it. I witnessed this one day myself on the creek just
below where I live 6 ½ miles north of Yellville. I noticed a squirrel
that appeared to be badly frustrated and was running up and down a tree
barking and chattering. At first I did not understand what was the matter
with it, but on going up near the tree where the squirrel was I seen a rattlesnake
stretched on the ground at the foot of the tree. The snake was perfectly
quiet and was not moving. Each time when the squirrel ran down the tree
it advanced up nearer to the reptile. It repeated this a few times when
it got on the ground and went right up to the reptile’s mouth, trembling
and quivering all over and the rattler took hold of it with its mouth. At
this I picked up a stick and killed the snake. I never touched the squirrel
but by the time the snake ceased squirming the squirrel was dead, too."
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