Paw!, Paw!" Joe screamed. "A rattlesnake is eating all our biddies!" Cyrus was down in the swamp setting traps, trying to catch something to take to Fargo, Georgia, to trade for salt, flour, corn meal, and maybe some coffee. He did not hear the cry, but Lula heard it. She called out, "Mary Joe, where's Pa?" "He went down to the swamp to set some traps," Mary Joe said. "Get me a hoe," Lula hollered! As Lula ran out the door, Mary Joe met her with a garden hoe. Lula grabbed it from her and ran for the chicken house. A six-foot diamondback was stalking a young chick which was huddled in a corner of the chicken house. The old hen was squawking something awful. The big snake paid no attention to Lula. It was focused on the chick in the corner. A rattlesnake only eats about twice a month. It likes to eat small rodents, birds, chicks, or whatever it can find alive. This one was getting its fill. It had already eaten two and was zeroed in on another. Lula ran within striking distance with the hoe and gave the snake a good whack behind the head with the sharp part of the hoe.