It was not until eleven o’clock that they finally came to a stop in a wild, rocky region. The tents were put up for the night.
The next morning the explorers were barely up when Joe happened to notice something crawling toward him as he sat near the tent.
He was up in a moment, looking about fearfully.
“A scorpion!” he cried excitedly.
CHAPTER XVI
Steady Aim
THE creature that was slowly moving toward Joe was as large as his hand, with long, powerful legs that were doubled ready to spring. And Joe well knew what that spring would mean.
The youth viewed the hideous scorpion with a terrible awe, fearing to move lest it become angered and charge. What was he to do? He knew he could not get up in time, for his terrible enemy would be upon him. Yet if he should remain sitting, he would surely feel the hairy mass upon him in a very few seconds.
Slowly Joe reached into his holster for his pistol. He was a poor shot with such a weapon, but the chance had to be taken. Still there was a possibility that he might kill the huge spider by throwing the gun at it.