“You’re a tarnation coward, that’s what you are! But you can’t help yourself,” replied Sneak.
“I’ll jump off and run!” said Joe, preparing to leap to the ground.
“You jest do now, and you’ll have forty sarpents wrapped round you in less than no time.”
At that moment two or three racers swept between them with their heads elevated as high as Joe’s knees, and entered the area.
“Oh goodness!” cried Joe, drawing up his legs.
“Git down and git your pole,” said Sneak.
“I wouldn’t do it if it was made of gold!”
“If you say you’ll fight the snakes, I’ll git it for you—I’m a going to stay here till they’re all killed,” continued Sneak.
“Give it to me, then—I’ll smash their brains out the next time!” said Joe, with desperate determination.
“But you musn’t hit me agin!” said Sneak, dismounting and handing up the weapon to Joe, and then leaping on the steed again.