Веснянки
Chapter XIV
“I’lltellyouwhatIthinkitmeans.Ithinktheoldrattlerhaskilledsomethingtoobigforhimtoswallow,andhe’skeepingguardandwon’tletmechickenshaveit.I’mjustsure,fromthewaythebirdshaveactedoutthereallsummer,thatitistherattler’sden.Youwatchthemnow.Seethewaytheydipandthenrise,frightenedlike!”
SuddenlyMcLeanturnedtowardhimwithblanchingface
“Freckles!”hecried.
“MyGod,sir!”shudderedFreckles.
Hedroppedtheotter,caughtuphisclub,andplungedintotheswale.Reachingforhisrevolver,McLeanfollowed.Thechickenscircledhigherattheircoming,andthebigsnakeliftedhisheadandrattledangrily.ItsankinsinuouscoilsatthereportofMcLean’srevolver,andtogetherheandFrecklesstoodbesideBlackJack.Hisfatewasevidentandmosthorrible.
“Come,”saidtheBossatlast.“Wedon’tdaretouchhim.WewillgetasheetfromMrs.Duncanandtuckoverhim,tokeeptheseswarmsofinsectsaway,andsetHallonguard,whilewefindtheofficers.”
Freckles’lipsclosedresolutely.HedeliberatelythrusthisclubunderBlackJack’sbody,and,raisinghim,resteditonhisknee.Hepulledalongsilverpinfromthefrontofthedeadman’sshirtandsentitspinningintotheswale.Thenhegatheredupafewcrumpledbrightflowersanddroppedthemintothepoolfaraway.
“Mysoulissickwiththehorrorofthisthing,”saidMcLean,asheandFrecklesdrovetowardtown.“Ican’tunderstandhowJackdaredriskcreepingthroughtheswale,evenindesperation.Nooneknewitsdangersbetterthanhe.
