Double-crossed at Cactus Flats: An Up2U Western Adventure
DOUBLE-CROSSED AT CACTUS FLATS An Up2U Western Adventure By Rich Wallace Illustrated by Hazel Mitchell
STRUCK A VEIN Archer stuck his head out of his bedroll Something was rustling nearby The sun wasn’t up yet but there was a bit of light on the horizon Yow Archer said A big thick snake was coiled a few feet away The diamondback rattlesnake was shaking its rattles Archer scrambled up and grabbed his rifle The snake uncoiled quickly and slithered away It was nearly six feet long and as thick as Archer’s arm Archer watched it go He easily could have shot it but they’d be leaving this spot by sunup So he might as well let the snake get away It wouldn’t bother him again What’s the trouble asked Bull
Archer looked at the older man There was a big rattler he said It was as long as you are tall Bull threw off his blanket and sat up That’s a good reason to be on our way he said He coughed and rubbed his red whiskers We can be in Cactus Flats in two hours Archer could hear Shadow and Rebel munching on desert grass in the gully below the campsite The two horses hadn’t been spooked by the snake Do we have coffee Bull asked Archer shook his head We drank the last of it yesterday remember he said To celebrate Bull clapped his hands We’ll celebrate more tonight he said After we sell some silver Bull was a prospector He roamed the hills and valleys east of Tucson Arizona mining for
