howed no
surprise over his reverse movement. They spoke only a few words to one
another, when they moved back in Indian file toward the growth of pines,
among which they passed from sight and were seen no more.

"That was a queer performance," remarked Jack; "it looked to me as if
that first fellow wanted his companions to go up the canyon with him,
and when they refused he started off by himself."

"Only to change his mind."

"There can be no doubt of that; but it strikes me as strange that there
should be something up there to attract them as well as Hank."

"Some day Hank will tell us about it. Do you observe, young man, that
the forenoon is well along and we haven't had a sight of any game?"

With no thought of the Indians whom they had just seen, the boys began
retracing their steps. Inasmuch as it was on the other side of the gorge
that they had gained the shot at the buck, the feeling was strong that
they should pass it again and push their hunt in that direction.

It did not require long to find a spot where the fissure was easily
leaped. In fact, the exploit was becoming quite an everyday thing with
them.

"We are not far from the spot where we killed that rattler yesterday,"
said Fred, recognizing several landmarks. "I wonder whether there are
any more near us----"

At that instant Fred uttered a gasp and leaped several feet from the
ground, while his companion was hardly a second behind him. Both had
heard the well-remembered whir at the same moment, and bounded away
several steps before pausing to look back.

Remarkable as it might seem, a second specimen of the _crotalus_, fully
as large as the other, lay on the flat surface of a rock only a few
inches above the ground. Evidently it was sunning itself when thus
disturbed by the approach of the young hunters, at sight of whom it
threw itself into coil. The boys were not in danger, for the warning was
sounded while they were still a number of paces distant.

Feeling safe, they stood still and surveyed the hideous thing. They
agreed that it was larger than the other, and seemed to be darker in
color. But for the fact that the reptiles were on opposite sides of the
canyon, it might be believed they were mates. The head and tail were
elevated, the latter vibrating with the swift, hazy appearance at the
end of the rattles which they had noted before.

Jack repeated the oft-quoted expression: "The heel of the woman shall
bruise the serpent's head," an