The door opened, and Alf Drew entered. That youngster rarely came to the cook shack alone, but the lad learned that Tom Reade was present.
"Sit down and keep quiet, if you're going to stay here," ordered
Cook Leon.
Alf went to the corner of the shack furthest from the other two. Tom, watching covertly, saw Alf furtively draw out cigarette and match.
Very softly Drew scratched a match. He was standing, his back turned to the others, over a wood-box.
Click-ick-ick! sounded a warning note.
"Ow-ow-ow-ow!" howled Alf, jumping back, dropping both match and cigarette.
"What's the matter, youngster?" demanded Tom placidly.
"There's a rattlesnake in there under the wood," wailed the boy, his face ashen.
"How do you know?"
"I heard him rattle!"