Twice, three times, the crashing report sounded.

But the rattler whisked away and disappeared into the grass--apparently uninjured.
For an instant Ferguson scowled.

Then a grin of mockery reached his flushed face.
"I reckon I'm done," he said.

"Can't even hit a rattler no more, an' him a brother or sister of that other one." A delirious light flashed suddenly in his eyes, and he seemed on the point of dismounting.

"I'll cert'nly smash you some!" he said, speaking to the snake--which he could no longer see.