o the
shadow of the livery stable. Scotty moved slowly along the wall, then
crossed the narrow alley between the stable and hotel with one long
step, hesitating at the hotel corner. Rick followed silently. There was
a window. Scotty crouched, so he would be below the window, and scuttled
past it. Rick was right behind him.

The rear door of the hotel was next. Scotty's gesture told Rick they
would stop there and try to listen. Scotty moved a few steps and stopped
once more. He was in position. Rick crowded close behind him, then moved
out from the wall a little so that he, too, could hear directly through
the door.

From almost under his foot came a strident, warning buzz, and an icy
ripple moved down his back. A snake! And he couldn't even see it! He
froze where he was, muscles tense for the shock of needle-sharp fangs.
He waited an eternity, not even daring to breathe. There were voices
from within the hotel, but he didn't hear what they were saying. At that
moment he couldn't possibly have cared less.

Then, his probing eyes saw the faint outline of the creature, half
coiled, flattened head weaving. It was barely beyond striking distance.
He watched it, not daring to look away, not daring to move.

Had Scotty heard the snake? But of course he must have. Rick reached
with infinite caution and tugged at his pal's sleeve. Scotty would have
to move first. Then Rick could move slowly to a position tight against
the wall, where Scotty was now. Only by moving into the wall could he
get away from the snake.

But in that moment the rattler apparently decided it had waited long
enough. The evil head moved slowly toward Rick's foot.

Rick couldn't help it. He let out an involuntary yelp and jumped
sideways, into Scotty. Scotty had no place to go but through the hotel
door. He crashed into the rickety, partly hanging door, Rick on top of
him.

Rick tried to get to his feet, sensing sudden noise and movement within
the hotel, but he wasn't fast enough. A hand grabbed him by the arm and
hauled him upright, and a fist glanced off his cheek-bone, snapping his
head back.

Scotty, underneath, gathered his feet under him and charged like a
plunging fullback, directly into the hotel. There was a grunt as the
boy's head met yielding flesh, then a powerful arm circled his neck and
he was lifted off his feet, fighting for breath.

A hand yanked Rick forward. His arms were twisted behind him. A pencil
flashlight flicked on brief