THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 115 



tion. For me, I had had enough and done my full 

 duty. And Ricardo was young and active. 



In many years spent in New Mexico this was the 

 second — and last — poisonous snake of which I had 

 ocular proof. But as climatic conditions seem to 

 revolve in circles, so apparently do snakes, as this 

 brand of vicious reptile re-appeared for a time 

 seasons later. 



Lizards and horned toads abound. The latter 

 are amusing fellows, and enjoy having their backs 

 scratched with a stick, but if too rudely accosted 

 are past masters in the art of simulating death. They 

 are also useful in reducing insect pests and in later 

 years abide under the protection of the law. The 

 tarantula, on the contrary, is a terrific beast. Cer- 

 tain learned professors, however, insist that neither 

 the bite of tarantula nor the disgusting feet of centi- 

 pedes are dangerous. That is as it may be. No 

 Texan could be found to conform to this degree, 

 but then it is acknowledged that the Texan species 

 of reptiles and insects are more venomous than 

 those of New Mexico. A rattlesnake I have never 

 encountered, although until recently when some 

 kind of epidemic decimated their ranks rattler 

 stories in abundance trickled down to us from their 

 mountain home. The hunter bewails this decrease 

 in the snake population, as to him it means financial 

 loss, but the cowboy no doubt is glad that the new 

 hair rope encircling his lowly couch is no longer ab- 

 solutely indispensable. For he who sleeps within 

 the charmed circle of a new hair rope sleeps se- 

 curely. For several nights I slumbered thus, the 



