They lighted a fire, took another dram, and
while one busied himself with preparing coffee, the other two started,
with no other weapon but their knives, to fetch the saddle-bags
and saddles.
They had not been gone five minutes when I perceived an enormous
rattlesnake, ready to spring, at not half a yard from me. Since my snake
adventure among the Comanches, I had imbibed the greatest dread of that
animal, and my alarm was so great, that I rushed out of my concealment,
and, at a single bound; found myself ten yards from the fellow, who was
quietly blowing his fire and stirring his coffee. He arose immediately,
made two steps backwards, and, quite unnerved by so sudden an
apparition, he extended his hand towards a tree, against which the
rifles had been placed.
That movement decided his fate, for not choosing to be shot at, nor to
close with a fellow so powerful that he could have easily crushed my
head between his thumb and finger, I drew at him; though rapid, my aim
was certain, and he fell dead, without uttering a single word, the arrow
having penetrated his heart. I then crawled to Gabriel, to whom I
explained the matter, and left him, to take my station near the two
remaining brigands. I found them busy searching the saddle-bags, and
putting aside what they wished to secrete for their own use.
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