“That measure! I just started to fasten it tighter to my belt when it slipped out of my hands. There it goes—sliding down the rocks out there,” and the senator’s son pointed to a spot at least fifty feet below them.
While Dave was still signaling and moving his leveling-rod farther along as desired, Roger began to scramble down the rocks in the direction where the steel measure had fallen. He was gone for fully ten minutes when suddenly Dave heard a yell.
“What’s the matter, Roger?” he called, dropping the leveling-rod and the signal flag he held.
“It’s a snake—and a big one, too!” screamed the senator’s son. “Oh, Dave, come here and help me! My leg is caught between the rocks, and it’s a rattlesnake!”
CHAPTER V
NICK JASNIFF’S VISIT
The announcement that Roger had his leg caught between the rocks and that a rattlesnake was about to attack him filled Dave with alarm.
“Oh, Roger, are you sure it’s a rattlesnake?”
“Yes! Yes! Come down and help me! Quick!”
“I will. Can’t you hit him with a rock or something?”
“I will if I can. But hurry up—and bring that axe or something with you!”