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Chapter Twenty-Six
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As they drove along, the desert gave way to rocky land. The friends pulled over about an hour's drive away from Mexico city, and got out to go.
Ellamae and Sarah started to head around a rocky corner -- the first words out of Sarah's mouth when they stopped were, "I really need to pee!" -- and stopped cold in their tracks. Ellamae, her voice stressed, said, "Thaddeus, come here. There's a rattlesnake raised to strike."
Jaben said, "Whatever you do, don't move a muscle. Be a statue."
Sarah said, "Still is the last thing I can be right now. I'm--"
Jaben said, "Recite to me the subjects of your last five paintings."
Sarah said, "I can't do that. I'm too scared."
Jaben calmly said, "Yes, you can. What is the first--"
Bang! A gunshot sounded. Ellamae and Sarah jumped high. The rattlesnake fell to the ground, dead.
Thaddeus was crouched on a rock, holding a smoking gun. He loaded another round, and then walked over. He drew a hunting knife. "You guys know that rattlesnake meat is considered a delicacy?"
Sarah quivered, and said, "Thank you, Thaddeus. Now if I can change my pants--"
Ellamae looked in his eyes, and said, "I'm sorry for what I said about your gun. You saved my life."
Thaddeus opened his mouth to say something, then closed it as he had nothing to say. Finally, he said, "You're welcome."
Jaben said, "Thaddeus, I've always wondered why you didn't even get a gun with a clip. Not that you have to have a semi-automatic, but..." his voice trailed off.
Thaddeus and said, "This was the only good rifle that was within my price range when I brought it, and I brought it for target practice, not for hunting. But as to the other aspect -- I just decided that I wanted to practice until my aim was good enough that I would never need to shoot twice."
Ellamae said, "Again, thank you."
They set up camp, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
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Chapter Twenty-Six
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