The dog backed away, but instead of growling he looked to the man.
Cowboys frequently practise with their revolvers at snakes, but one of the peculiarities of this rider was that he carried no gun, neither six-shooter nor rifle.

He drew out a short knife which might be used to skin a beef or carve meat, though certainly no human being had ever used such a weapon against a five-foot rattler.

He stooped and rested both hands on his thighs.

His feet were not two paces from the poised head of the snake.

As if marvelling at this temerity, the big rattler tucked back his head and sounded the alarm again.