Part 14 (2/2)
CHAPTER XX
DENIZENS OF THE FLORIDA SWAMPS
After all it was perhaps a wise determination on the part of Jack to thus take time by the forelock and endeavor to learn the lay of the land while a fitting opportunity lasted To start out when darkness lay over everything, with no knowledge whatever concerning the prospect before therievous cala them even before they were ready to strike their first blow
Jack had a pretty strong suspicion they were in the neighborhood of some stretch of swas--the general low lay of the ground bordering the great lake and also the fact that snohite egrets, as well as cranes, flew to and fro during the early h they must have a roost not far away and he had been told that as a rule these gathering places were to be found in the gloomy depths of a swamp
If they should chance to lose their way in those dark and dismal swamps and find themselves mired in the ht even be forced to shout for assistance in order to save their lives, thus revealing themselves to their enemy, for the tenacious muck had a tendency to act in the sa the victi him down, inch after inch into its unfatho discovery was ht be the case, a dim trail was struck not far back fro theo
Jackbeen used by hus--at least in recent tiinally been an Indian trail in those days when Osceola and his gallant followers dared defy the powers at Washi+ngton and declare open war upon the fehite squatters at that time in the southern portions of the Florida peninsula Or, as es by innumerable four-footed denizens of the swamp,--deer, panthers, raccoons, 'possu trail, evidently following the path of least resistance for on both sides the shrubbery, together ild grape-vines and various other cliht have found difficult to negotiate
Presently their road skirted the border of the swamp Jack had felt so certain could not be far away Here new and wonderful sights greeted their eyes and Perk in particular stared with all hisin the flowers that festooned u cypress, with their cu several feet frorew Most of the trees were festooned with long trailing banners of gray Spanish ave them a most unusual appearance
Since it was Perk's first hand knowledge concerning the looks of a genuine Southern swaaze and wonder Particularly was he i hi and had slid off with a splash at their approach, also the multitude of watermost vicious with their checkered backs and dusty bellies
”You want to take particular notice of those dirty looking boys,” Jack told hi to a bunch of the reptiles as he spoke, ”for they are water ive you a sly stab and I've been told they are so poisonous that even if astruck, his wound would never heal properly and his life become a burden to him Give the critters a wide berth always, partner”
”Huh! you jest better believe I will, Jack--never did care much for snakes, even the harmless kinds an' I'd jump three feet in the air when out West, if ever I heard a locust buzz, thinkin' it must be a rattler
Me an' the crawlin' breed don't iven expression to his dislikes, Jack caught him by the arn to his nature, pointed to so
”Jeru-saleasped Jack, possibly a bit louder than discretion would warrant but Jack felt there was some measure of excuse for his outburst
There aand as thick through the body as a good-sized h, had just raised its enormous flat head and opened its jaws to display its terrible fangs
Even as the two stood there and stared, the rattle began to whirr its deadly warning
”It's all right, Perk,” said Jack soothingly, not certain what the effect of so dangerous a neighbor ht have upon his sensitive pal, ”we can pass him by out of reach A rattler, unless th for he has to get back in his coil in a hurry, being helpless to defend himself unless curled up”
Jack showed that this was true by passing the spot, with the veno back his head Then Perk shut his teeth hard and followed suit but it e of the narrow trail and had hisif he thought the snake was about to launch his coils forward
”Whew!” hissed Perk, after he had safely negotiated the peril that lay in the road, ”I'ht e coure on that baby co Wish now I had s with , seemed like to me”
”Between us, brother, Ithis trail after dark, and I ht on every few seconds for I don't believe it would be noticed
But they tell me these whoppers are rather scarce around these sections--there may not be another inside of five miles”
”Glory! I should hope not,” said the still treot even one here to bother us If only I dared use un, I'd soon knock spots out o' hiet that, partner On the way back, if he's still holding the fort, we , stout poles, and try to knock him on the head if it can be done with little confusion--he won'this rattlebox and we could keep our lips buttoned tight Yes, that would be the best way to fix things, I reckon”