But he was not looking at her; his gaze was fixed with sardonic satisfaction upon a huge rattler which was writhing in the throes of death at the base of the rock where she had been about to kneel.

Its head had been partly severed from its body and while she looked Calumet's pistol roared again and its destruction was completed.
She was suddenly faint; the world reeled again.

But the sensation passed quickly and she saw Calumet standing close to her, looking at her with grim disapprobation.

Apparently he had forgotten his danger in his excitement over hers.
"I told you not to come here," he said.
But a startled light leaped into her eyes at the words.

Calumet swung around as he saw her rifle swing to her shoulder.