Before either of them was aware of any peril Zeke drew his revolver and
fired several shots at an object in front of him, which as yet was unseen
by the boys.
"There!" shouted Zeke. "I guess that'll get you, you rascally varmint!" As
he spoke he seized his long knife and hurled it savagely. "How do you like
that?" he shouted, "I guess you won't do any more harm to anybody."
The curiosity of George and Grant had been so thoroughly aroused by the
strange calls and actions of their guide that in spite of his warning both
crept forward to see what had aroused his anger.
And both soon were aware of the cause. A few feet before them was a huge
rattlesnake still twisting and turning in its last agonies.
Zeke secured his knife, and again and again hurled the weapon at the snake
although now they were safe from any attack by the reptile. Its skin was
glossy and the dark folds had a certain beauty of their own. Both boys,
however, were unaware of the colors of the great snake. At last Zeke
succeeded in severing the body. In a moment he grasped the tail and flung
the part to which it was attached several yards away.
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