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.

“Better count the rattles,” he said.

“I don’t want to touch the thing,” said George with a shudder.

“The tail can’t bite you,” suggested Grant as he advanced boldly and grasped the part of the body to which the rattles were attached and held it up to view.  It was still squirming somewhat and George turned away in disgust.  “I don’t like snakes,” he explained.

“I can’t say that I’m very fond of them,” said Grant, “but I think if you don’t want them, Pop, I’ll take these rattles home with me.”

“Did you count them?” demanded Zeke, who now approached the spot where the boys were standing.

“Not yet,” replied Grant.  “I’ll do it now.”

There were thirteen rattles found in the snake and when Grant held them up and shook them George was unable to repress the shudder that crept over him.

“How was it, Zeke,” he asked, turning to the guide, “did the fellow strike at you?”

“No, I happened to see him moving across the rock.  He’s a big fellow.  He must be eight feet long,” answered the guide.

“Aren’t you afraid of them?” inquired George, shuddering again as he spoke.

“Afraid?  No.  Why should I be afraid?  They give you warning before they strike and that’s what the rattles are for.”

“I wonder if that is what they are for,” said Grant thoughtfully.  “I don’t see why nature should have provided a snake with a means of scaring off the animals he wants to get for his breakfast.”

“That’s what it is,” said Zeke.  “It can’t be for nothin’ else.”

“I’ve heard it said that shaking the rattles had a strange effect on certain animals.  A canary bird sings and a rattler rattles.  Perhaps they both think they are improving the music of the spheres.”