In "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry, Augustus discovers an unusual scene when he steps out onto the porch. He finds blue pigs engaged in a struggle with a rattlesnake, which was likely seeking refuge from the heat before encountering the pigs. This unexpected interaction highlights the wildness and unpredictability of life on the frontier.

The scene captures a moment of nature's harsh realities, where the blue pigs dominate the rattlesnake, signifying the harshness of survival in such an environment. The rattlesnake's fate serves as a reminder of the relentless cycle of life, as one creature finds its end while another engages in a primal contest.