back contents forward {{frabfp189.png}} || eagles of the sky || CHAPTER XXIII A PUGNACIOUS RATTLER In good time they reached the narrow point on the animal trail which marked the scene of their adventure with the rattlesnake. Perk, wishing to be prepared for anything that might greet them, had picked up a stout cudgel with which he believed he could give a good account of himself should the occasion arise. But they passed the place and he was beginning to breathe easier when he was thrilled by a brisk and ominous sound from just ahead. Instinctively Perk clutched his chum by the arm and dragged him back a pace although this was really unnecessary, since Jack had stopped walking at the same instant as Perk. "Gosh all hemlock!" broke out Perk, "what d'ye think o' that--jest awaitin' round for us to come along--what a 'commodatin' little pet he is!" Jack could see the suggestive bulk of the coiled snake lying on the path, with scant room on either side for them to pass--oozy depths of ocr> fix> @@ [[189]] back contents forward