MOO MAMUZM, ZdI0€ eos 
rattler armed with the goodly remains 
of —a frying pan. 
The horrid thing was ready for me 
with darting tongue and flattened head 
—another instant it would have sprung. 
Smash on its head went my_ val- 
iant frying pan and struck a deadly 
blow, although the thing managed to 
get from under it. I recaptured my 
weapon and again it descended upon 
the reptile’s head, settling it this time. 
Feeling safe, I now took hold of the 
handle to finish it more quickly. Oh, 
that tail—that awful, writhing, lash- 
ing tail! I can stand Indians, bears, 
wolves, anything but that tail, and 
a rattler is all tail, except its head. If 
that tail touches me I shall let go. It 
did touch me, I did not let go. Pride 
held me there, for I heard the sound 
of galloping hoofs. Whiskers’ empty 
