shelter of a little ledge, his fearful eyes gleaming with deadly
intentions against a ground-squirrel frisking upon the end of a
mossy log, near where Captain Bob Bennett was seated, poring over
a troublesome detail in the "Tactics." The snake saw the man, and
his awkward movement changed at once into one of electric alertness.
He sounded his terrible rattle, and his dull diamonds and stripes
lighted up with the glare that shines through an enraged man's face.
The thick body seemed to lengthen out and gain a world of sinuous
suppleness. With the quickness of a flash he was coiled, with
head erect, forked tongue protruding, and eyes flaming like satanic
jewels.

A shout appraised Captain Bennett of his danger. He dropped the
book, sprang to his feet with a quickness that matched the snake's,
and instinctively drew his sword. Stepping a little to one side
as the reptile launched itself at him, he dexterously cut it in two
with a sweeping stroke. A shout of applause rose from the excited
boys, who gathered around to inspect the slain serpent and congratulate
the Captain upon his skillful disposition of his assailant.

"O, that's only my old bat-stroke that used to worry the boys in
town-hall so much," said the Captain carelessly. "It's queer what
things turn out useful to a man, and when he least expects them."

A long, ringing yell from a thousand throats cleft the air, and with
its last notes came the rattle of musketry from the brow of the
hill across the little ravine. The bullets sang viciously overhead.
They cut the leaves and branches with sharp little crashes, and
struck men's bodies with a peculiar slap. A score of men in the
disordered group fell back dead or dying upon the green moss.