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{{frabfp195.png}} || eagles of the sky ||

proved exceedingly dark although all that would
be changed after a while, when the late moon
climbed into sight.

Perk, just as he promised himself, had made
certain to pick up that serviceable pole with
which he had dispatched the rattlesnake and
this he kept poking out ahead, as if to stir up any
lurking reptile that might be lying coiled in the
path.

His nervousness increased as they drew near
the spot where the one-sided fight had taken
place. He had apparently been brooding over
the matter, wondering if the mate of his victim
could have come upon the scene of the tragedy
and sensing what had happened, was lurking
thereabouts, bent on exacting a terrible revenge
in payment for the untimely demise of her partner.

When he felt certain they had passed this particular
narrow part of the trail, Perk began to
breathe easier, but he soon had reason to fear
lest he was crowing too soon for just then he felt
Jack buck up against him and heard him saying
in a low but distinct voice:

"Hold up and listen, partner!"

[[195]]

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