“That’s right, I was,” replied the other, “but I couldn’t help it, because you see, I was unable to find the chief, who had disappeared, and no one could tell me where he was. After all, it turned out that he had gone into some secret chamber back in the mountain to carry out some of the observances of the day. In the end I ran across him, and, well, it all came out right after all, you know.” “So far as we’re concerned, it sure did,” agreed Billie; “but just think how Braddon and his two chums had to get out of here in a big hurry. Why, the Zunis just acted like they’d be glad to tear them to pieces, when they learned that one of them had snuck into the sacred lodge of their medicine man, and actually hooked that silly old belt.” “A good riddance of bad rubbish, we all say,” declared Adrian. “And,” added Donald, “if they know what’s good for them they’ll be mighty slow to stay anywhere within striking distance of this place; because the chief told them plainly that as soon as the ceremonies were all over, he would shut his eyes if several of his young and hot-blooded braves chose to go forth looking for game.” “Ha! ha! guess Braddon knew only too well what that sort of game would be if he and his pards could be found!” exclaimed Billie, laughing at the thought. “Say, just to think of it, while we’re squatted here on this rock pile, waiting to see the blessed old rattlesnake dance they talk so much about, them fellows must be aheading away just as fast as their ponies’ll carry ’em; and chances are they’ll keep hitting up the hot pace half the night, for fear of being overtaken, and shot all to flinders. Things turned out all right for us; and it was sure the darkest just before dawn, as Adrian said.” “Well, pay attention, now, to what’s doing in front,” interrupted Donald, “for unless the signs go wrong the bucks are getting in their togs to start this dance.” There were little knots of observers scattered all around, and it might be noticed that where the lookers-on were whites they had been very careful to select their seats on some pile of rocks; though the Zuni women and children were massed here and there on the lower tiers, or the level ground itself. There was a good reason for this. Rattlesnakes may be all very well in cages, with a strong sheet of glass separating them from you; but no ordinary person cares to run across them in the open, where they can suddenly throw themselves into a coil, and be ready to thrust out their venomous jaws at a nearby leg. And it was generally understood that in the wonderful and thrilling ceremony about to take place as the wind-up to the yearly festival, the Zuni braves would introduce scores of the crawlers, so that there was always danger that one might break away, and wriggle in among the bystanders. So the white visitors were not taking any chances that they could avoid, though eager enough to see all that would take place in the arena below.