"You see, ma'am, that damned rattler got Ferguson.

But Ferguson ain't reckonin' on dyin' till sundown.

He couldn't let no snake get the best of him." He saw the woman start toward him, felt her hands on his arms, helping him upon the porch.

Then he felt her hands on his shoulders, felt them pressing him down.

He felt dimly that there was a chair under him, and he sank into it, leaning back and stretching himself out full length.
A figure flitted before him and presently there was a sharp pain in his foot.