“Lewis, you get Douglas off by herself and let her know what it was, but wait until we are back in camp. Tell her so she won’t be scared, and let her know it is all right before you let her know what it is.”
“I believe the rattlesnake is called crotalus horridus,” said one of the wise ladies.
Dr. Wright wished she would stop talking about snakes and especially rattlers, as he wanted to get Helen’s mind off the terrifying occurrence.
“We are not sure this was a rattlesnake,” he said.
“I think it was,” she whispered to him. “I remember as I jumped I heard something that sounded like dry leaves.” Did the young man hold her closer to him or was it just a fancy on her part?
“It knocks me all up to think about it,” he muttered. “I am glad, so glad I followed you.”
“I am, too!”
A wave of crimson flooded the young man’s face. He didn’t know why, but his blood was singing in his veins and his breath came quickly. If it had not been for the presence of the respectable spinsters, he was sure he would have had to kiss that piquant face so close to his.
“Come on, Doc, my time now to take up the white man’s burden. Helen is no featherweight and you are red in the face and panting from carrying her this far.”