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{{frabfp191.png}} || eagles of the sky ||

back his flat head as though in readiness for
action.

"Hold it there, buddy!" snapped Jack. "Now
get a firm grip on your pole and draw back for
a vicious rap--you've got to get him square in
the middle and follow it up with more whacks
in a big hurry. Don't step any closer whatever
you do. Now, give him fits, Perk!"

This the other proceeded to do with might
and main. The sprightly buzz suddenly ceased
as the great folds of the monster began to squirm
and writhe--Perk lifted his pole and put in
another blow for good measure.

"Huh!--guess now he's got his for keeps,"
gasped the victor in the singular duel as he
managed to get in a third and deciding stroke
ocr>   that crushed the flat head of the reptile and for-ever
fix>   that crushed the flat head of the reptile and forever
ended its capacity for business.

They were soon bending over the still squirming
snake, Perk eagerly measuring its length by
footing it off and announcing it to be just one
inch over five feet.

"Gimme just a minute so's to whip off that
bully rattle, partner," he was saying as he produced
a big pocketknife and opened its large
blade. "I want it to show if any guy ever questions
the truth o' my yarn 'bout these here Florida
rattlers. There you are, an' now I'm ready
to move on. But we got to keep our eyes peeled,

[[191]]

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