They agreed that it was larger than the other, and seemed to be darker in color.

But for the fact that the reptiles were on opposite sides of the canyon, it might be believed they were mates.

The head and tail were elevated, the latter vibrating with the swift, hazy appearance at the end of the rattles which they had noted before.
Jack repeated the oft-quoted expression: "The heel of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head," and added: "I suppose nine persons out of every ten, when they see any kind of a snake, are seized with an impulse to kill it." "Even though many are harmless and useful." "I think the best use you can put a rattlesnake to is to blow him into smithereens, which is what I am going to do." As he spoke, Jack brought his Winchester to a level and sighted carefully at the pitted head of the serpent.

He was deliberate, and did not press the trigger until sure his aim was accurate to a hair.
Fred kept his eye on that head.

At the instant the sharp crack of the rifle rang out the frightful object vanished, and the long body broke into fierce writhings.