Paddling under Palmettos — page 184: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Paddling Under Palmettos. 177 reach a ravine where he had been given to under- stand there was a chance of finding either deer or turkeys he accidentally trod upon a small rattler. Like a flash the reptile had struck at him, and Archie received such a shock as he had never before experienced. Nevertheless he retained his presence of mind, and with one terrific kick he sent the reptile flying. Before it could recover from the stunning force with which it had brought up against a tree near by he placed his gun close to its head, and with the re- port the rattler’s head was blown to atoms. With trembling hands Archie unbuckled his leather leggins—every Florida sportsman ought to wear leggins as a protection against snakes and thorns, though heavy knee-boots are about as good, if cumbersome. Heaven was kind. At the very point where the snake’s fangs had struck, his pants had been doubled over, making three thicknesses, besides drawers and leather leggins. There was not the faintest scratch upon his leg. Archie breathed a prayer of thanks. The en- counter made him extremely nervous for a day or comicbooks (E(0)