"It's an infernal machine fur a fact," grinned Hank. "Jest take a squint at it."

He held the candle high and the boys peered curiously through the glass top. There was a hiss and a rattle, and a huge rattlesnake struck its head furiously against the glass top.


A RATTLESNAKE STRUCK ITS HEAD AGAINST THE GLASS TOP.


There was a chorus of excited cries from the boys.

"A rattlesnake!"

"An old sockdolager!"

"Isn't he a monster?"