"Two other animals appear to live in communion with the prairie dogs — the rattlesnake and a small owl (This has been called the Coquimbo owl. Its note, whether natural or imitative, much resembles that of the prairie dog.); in but both are no doubt intruders, resorting to these burrows for shelter, and to feed, it is presumed, upon the 'pups' of the inmates. Rattlesnakes are exceedingly abundant upon these plains: scores of them are sometimes killed in the course of a day's travel; yet they seem remarkably harmless, for I have never witnessed an instance of a man's being bitten, though they have been known to crawl even into the beds of travelers (Though I never saw it tried, it has been said that snakes will not crawl over a hair-rope stretched upon the ground, and that consequently these form good barriers to keep these reptiles out of a bed). Mules are sometimes bitten by them, yet very rarely, though they must daily walk over considerable numbers."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
p. 281.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Commerce_of_the_Prairies
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Commerce of the Prairies
1806 – 1850
Commerce of the Prairies: or, The journal of a Santa Fé trader, 1831–1839 was written by Josiah Gregg (1806–1850), a merchant, explorer, naturalist, and author who described his travels and adventures throughout the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. He is most famous for this book, a classic description of his early travels along the Santa Fe Trail to Santa Fe, then along El Camino Real to Chihuahua, Mexico and further south.
241 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Commerce of the Prairies →
Related Quotes
"The administration of the laws in Northern Mexico constitutes one of the most painful features of her institutions. J…"
"The evil consequences arising from maladministration, of justice in New Mexico are most severely felt by foreigners, …"
"Few men, perhaps, have done more to jeopard the interests of American traders, or to bring the American character its…"
"With a view of oppressing our merchants, Gov. Armijo had, as early as 1839, issued a decree exempting all the natives…"
"The only tribunals of 'justice' in New Mexico are those of the ordinary alcaldes or justices of the peace; and an app…"
"In the administration of justice, there are three distinct and privileged jurisdictions, known as fueros: the eclesiá…"
"Imprisonment is almost the only sort of punishment resorted to in the North. For debt, petit larceny, highway robbery…"
"In case of debt, as before remarked, the delinquent is sent to jail — provided the creditor will not accept his servi…"
"Capital crimes and highway robberies are of comparatively rare occurrence in the North, but in smaller delinquencies,…"
"Prior to the adoption of the Sistema Central in the Mexican republic, the province of New Mexico was under a territor…"