The blasted cobra must be atleast ten feet long. If he launched that length at Sam, the dog would never beable to evade him. She glanced impatiently down at the knife in her hand andtossed it aside. A dagger would be no good as a weapon against the snake. Touse it she would have to be too close. That pitchfork propped against the wallwould be much more effective.
She froze as the snake's headswiveled in her direction. Her heart was thundering so hard it seemed louderthan the uproar Sam was making. Though she was beyond the cobra's reach, fearstill iced through her as she was pinned by those beady eyes.
Sam bounced to one side andthe cobra's head swung toward him.
Jane's hand closed on thehandle of the pitchfork
"Back, Sam!" shecried desperately. "For heaven's sake, stop teasing him." She movedslowly in a circle until she was behind the snake.
"What thebellareyou doing?"
She pulled her gaze from thecobra to see Ruel standing in the doorway. His skin was death-pale and gleamingwith sweat. "Get away from him."
"Be quiet!" Janesaid sharply, her gaze shifting back to the snake. "And stand perfectlystill. If you scare him, he might strike at Sam."
"I don't give a damnabout Sam," he said hoarsely. "Get away from that goddamn snakebefore he kills you."
Jane ignored him and took astep closer. Four yards from the cobra. Three yards.
Ruel muttered an obscenity."All right, I'll get that crazy hound." He took a step toward thedog. "Just get out of here!"
The cobra caught the motionand reared higher, hissing.
"Don't move," Janewhispered.
Ruel froze.
The snake was confused, hisattention divided between Sam and Ruel. He had forgotten about her. If she werequick, she might be able to—
She dashed forward, holdingthe pitchfork out in front of her. She caught the snake's body between thetines and slung it across the stable. His long body struck the wall. Stunned, hefell writhing to the floor.
Sam immediately darted afterit.
"No!" she screamed.
Ruel cursed steadily as he ranafter the dog and scooped him up only a scant foot away from the serpent.
"Hold him!" Janepushed Ruel aside and brought the wooden handle of the pitchfork down on thesnake's puffed head with all her strength. She struck again and again andagain...
She stopped, breathless, asshe realized the snake was no longer moving. "I…think he's... dead."
Ruel didn't answer.
She poked at the snake withthe pitchfork. No response. "It's safe to let Sam down now." Sheturned to look at Ruel. "He was a big one, wasn't he? I don't rememberever seeing one that size around here. They're usually much— Let me go!"
Ruel's hands were grasping hershoulders. "Damn you." He shook her, his eyes blazing in his whiteface."Damnyou!"
"Get your hands off me oryou'll get this pitchfork in your belly," she said fiercely.
"Do you think I care? Youand your damn pitchfork and your goddamn snake." He shook her again."I could—" His hands fell away from her, and he staggered toward thedoor.
"Where are yougoing?" she asked, startled by the sudden abandonment.
"To throw up."Ruel's voice was muffled as he dashed outside.
She gazed after him inastonishment. She had been terribly frightened too, but Ruel's extreme responsewas completely unexpected. She impulsively started after him and then stopped.Li Sung hated to be seen in moments of weakness, and Ruel would probably beeven more resentful. While she was still shaking with her own fear she didn'tfeel up to handling his bad temper. She turned back to Sam, who was sniffing atthe dead snake. "All right, you troublemaker, let's get rid of him."
When she left the stable a fewminutes later, Ruel was scooping water from the horse trough onto his face. Hisslicker lay on the ground beside him and his damp shirt clung to his torso. Hisface was still pale as he lifted his head to look at her. "Sorry," hesaid curtly. "I don't like snakes."
