The Dead Death Adder Snake was Barred

By David Brownsey

The location was the Carmila Hotel bar, in the cane growing area just south of Sarina near Mackay, North Queensland.

It was the cane harvesting season. The cane had been burnt to remove all vermin, except the death adder snake. The death adder snake would still lie in the trash with it's tail poking through, waiting for a bird to land and see what this "worm" was. Next second, the bird would be seized by the death adder snake and eaten. The snake would be about twenty-seven inches long and about three inches wide when flat out. The death adder snake was feared as it could easily be stood on and it's bite was deadly; at the time no venom antidote known.

The conversation in the crowded bar turned to snakes and the death adder was named. "Yes," said someone, "I have a 'live one' in the ute," and went out to get it. He returned with a sugar bag as it were simulating a live snake movement.

The movement as that snake hit the bar caused total clearance of the bar room floor in two seconds flat. Out the door.

Cautiously, some time later, heads poked arund the corner to survey the scene. The dead death adder was still on the bar, motionless. Everyone returned, certain words were said, everyone had a good laugh and everyone continued drinking.