The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

A Remarkable Account of a RATTLESNAKE.

To what far the fell, destructive race may be domesticated, is circumstantially related in the following Anecdote of a Rattlesnake, inserted in Carver's travels: M. Pinnance, a French trader, told me a remarkable story concerning one of these reptiles, of which he said he was an eye witness. An Indian belonging to the Menomonie nation, having taken one of them, found means to tame it; and when he had done this, treated it as a deity; calling it his Great Father, and carrying it with him in a box wherever he went. This the Indian had done for several summers, when M. Pinnance accidentally met with him at this carrying place, just as he was setting off for a winter's hunt. The French gentleman was surprised one day, to see the Indian place the box which contained his god on the ground, and opening the door, gave him his liberty; telling him, whilst he did it, to be sure and return by the time he himself should come back, which was to be in the month of May following. As this was but October, Monsieur told the Indian, whose simplicity astonished him, that he fancied he might wait long enough when May arrived, for the arrival of his Great Father. The Indian was so confident of his creature's obedience, that he offered to lay the Frenchman a wager of two gallons of rum, that at the time appointed he would come and crawl into his box. This was agreed on, and the second week in May following fixed for the determination of the wager. At that period they both met there again; where the Indian set down his box, and called for his Great Father. The snake heard him not; and the time being now expired, he acknowledged that he had lost. However, without seeming to be discouraged, he offered to double the bet if his Great Father came not within two days more. This was further agreed on; when behold on the second day, about one o'clock, the snake arrived: and, of his own accord, crawled into the box, which was placed ready for him.