In fact, the exploit was becoming quite an everyday thing with them.
"We are not far from the spot where we killed that rattler yesterday," said Fred, recognizing several landmarks.

"I wonder whether there are any more near us----" At that instant Fred uttered a gasp and leaped several feet from the ground, while his companion was hardly a second behind him.

Both had heard the well-remembered whir at the same moment, and bounded away several steps before pausing to look back.
Remarkable as it might seem, a second specimen of the _crotalus_, fully as large as the other, lay on the flat surface of a rock only a few inches above the ground.

Evidently it was sunning itself when thus disturbed by the approach of the young hunters, at sight of whom it threw itself into coil.

The boys were not in danger, for the warning was sounded while they were still a number of paces distant.
Feeling safe, they stood still and surveyed the hideous thing.