The young man was thinking how he might present himself without seeming rude, when, all at once, a cry came from the lips of the young lady. It was a short, sharp exclamation, apparently called forth by some impending danger. It seemed a sufficient apology for intruding.
Accepting it as such, the stranger sprang across the creek, and rushed direct to the orchard.
In a few seconds he stood confronting the girl, who had turned towards the house.
“I heard you cry out,” he said; “was there any danger. May I ask—”
But, before he had finished the interrogatory, he saw what had elicited the exclamation.
A huge snake lay coiled under one of the trees!
It had been feasting on the fallen fruit, and, nearly trodden upon, had thrown itself into the defensive attitude.
The “skirr” caused by the vibration of its tail told it to be a rattle-snake.
Without inquiring further, the young man raised his rifle, and sent a bullet through its head. Its coils flew out, and, after struggling a few seconds on the grass the reptile lay dead.
“Thanks, sir,” said the lady, as soon as she had recovered from her surprise. “I came near setting my foot upon it, and, perhaps, would have done so, if I’d not heard the rattle. You’re a good shot, sir; you’ve killed it outright!”