There was no way I could get my pistol out in time. The large piece of snake struck, Molly’s eyes widened as she watched the rattler sink its fangs into Tandy’s face. Tandy was groaning with the two shots from Molly, but now he let out a shriek.
I rushed over and looked. Glancing at Tandy I first grabbed Molly in her chair and lifted her away from the pieces of snakes. One of them might accidentally strike at her, and it was a gory sight. I quickly untied her and she ran toward the kitchen and I heard the back door slam. Then I untied Hannah and Greta.
“See if you can get Greta to come to. I’m goin’ to clean up this mess.” I went to get a shovel and bucket. The pieces of snake were slowing down in their writhing.
Tandy was looking at me. He was mouthing, “Please.”
Despite my hatred of snakes I reached down to pull the snake, still attached to his cheek. One fang was stuck and I wasn’t about to reach down to try and free it. Finally I took my knife and pushed against the fang and it eventually came out. It was a mess. I guess there were at least five snakes. That ol’ Greener really cut them to pieces.
I pulled Tandy away from the gore and mess. He just lay there; he must be in terrible pain, and his life was slowly ebbing from him. Looking around I saw that Hannah had taken Greta out and by this time Molly was making her way back in. The marshal was taking the other man down to the jail and passed the doctor at the door.
“Everyone all right, Miles?” he asked.
I nodded, “None of us is hurt. Check the man in the corner and then you should have a look at Tandy here.”
“Looks like the Marshal took care of him. Now let’s take a look at this fellow.” He stooped down and the first thing he noticed was the fang marks and the cheek beginning to swell.
“Miles, what happened here?” the doc asked.
“Anything you can do for him?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Those bullets are in his gut, and with that snake bite. It’s just a matter of time.”
“Forrest,” came a gurgling voice.
I looked and Tandy’s eyes widened and then the light was gone.
“Doc, can you take care of him? I want to do something with these snakes.”
Going over to Molly I asked, “You all right?”
She nodded. “I was scared; not of Tandy but of the snakes. I feared what he was going to do to you to bring you hurt.” She started sobbing slightly. “I shot him Miles. I knew I could do it if I had to, but when it actually happened…I, I can’t describe my feelings.”
I reached out to hold her. “I understand Molly, I surely do. I know those feelin’s.”
“Do you think you’re up to checkin’ on Greta and Hannah? I need to get these things taken care of before they get to smellin’ up the place.”
I went on out and walked toward a place back in the woods. I wanted these things far away and deep. Snakes, I shuddered, they do something to me. That gave me a glimpse of the curse put on them way back in the Garden.
It took me a little over thirty minutes to get the job done. When I came back Molly and Hannah were sitting at the table. Greta was standing and shaking her head. Molly took her hand but she pulled away. I came in the room and she glanced my way and ran out of the room.
I looked at Molly….