He gave a sudden start, for, at that instant one of the ugly reptiles, which had twined itself around the wheel spokes, reared its ugly head up, over the side of the front seat, and hissed, right in Jerry’s face.
“Here’s one now!” the boy exclaimed as he made a motion to brush the snake aside.
“Don’t touch it as you value your life!” yelled the professor. “It’s a diamond-backed rattler, and one of the most deadly!”
“Here is another coming up on my side,” called Bob.
“Yes, and there are some coming up here!” shouted Ned. “They’ll overwhelm us if we don’t look out!”
For a time it seemed a serious matter. The snakes began twining up the sides of the car, and, though most of them dropped back to the ground again, a few maintained their position, and seemed to exhibit anger at the sight of the boys and the professor.
“What shall we do?” asked Bob. “We can’t run ahead, or go backward, and, if we stay here we’re likely to be killed by the snakes.”
Jerry, who was feeling around in the bottom of the car for his rifle, gave a cry as his hand came in contact with something.
“Get bitten?” asked the professor in alarm.