THE COWARDLY COUGAR 



Hunger and apprehension somewhat re- 

 lieved, we crept into our wet blankets, only 

 to hear our guides engaged in a heated argu- 

 ment regarding hydrophobia skunks. 



"Pshaw! There's not a bit of danger in a 

 place like this," Ambrose was saying. 



"Um-m! Prob'ly not; but it's just the 

 kind of a night for 'em," Pat declared. "Re- 

 member that one that got in bed with me on 

 the last trip?" 



Bill Vaughan seemed to recall the incident 

 clearly, for he said: 



"I sure thought you was a dead ox that 

 time, Pat. By the way, that feller at Fre- 

 donia that was bit in his sleep, hydrophobiated 

 last week. He was foamin' like a sody foun- 

 tain when I left. I'd rather have a rattler in 

 my blankets." 



"I'm used to 'em," Ambrose yawned, "and, 

 anyhow, they don't touch me." 



Undoubtedly this Arizona lion roping was 

 great sport. We knew we were going to 

 enjoy it if we lived. 



" Climb a wagon wheel, stranger! I'm about 

 to turn these son of a guns in." 



It was Pat's voice calling us; it was his way 

 169 



