here, Jim?” “No, sah, thanks to goodness I hain't, Mars Tom.” “All right, we'll get you some.” “But bless you, honey, I doan' _want_ none.  I's afeard un um.  I jis' 's soon have rattlesnakes aroun'.” Tom thought a minute or two, and says: “It's a good idea.  And I reckon it's been done.  It _must_ a been done; it stands to reason.  Yes, it's a prime good idea.  Where could you keep it?” “Keep what, Mars Tom?” “Why, a rattlesnake.” “De goodness gracious alive, Mars Tom!  Why, if dey was a rattlesnake to come in heah I'd take en bust right out thoo dat log wall, I would, wid my head.” “Why, Jim, you wouldn't be afraid of it after a little.  You could tame it.” “_Tame_ it!” “Yes--easy enough.  Every animal is grateful for kindness and petting, and they wouldn't _think_ of hurting a person that pets them.  Any book will tell you that.  You try--that's all I ask; just try for two or three days. Why, you can get him so, in a little while, that he'll love you; and sleep with you; and won't stay away from you a minute; and will let you wrap him round your neck and put his head in your mouth.” “_Please_, Mars Tom--_doan_' talk so!  I can't _stan_' it!  He'd _let_ me shove his head in my mouf--fer a favor, hain't it?  I lay he'd wait a pow'ful long time 'fo' I _ast_ him.  En mo' en dat, I doan' _want_ him to sleep wid me.” “Jim, don't act so foolish.  A prisoner's _got_ to have some kind of a dumb pet, and if a rattlesnake hain't ever been tried, why, there's more glory to be gained in your being the first to ever try it than any other way you could ever think of to save your life.” “Why, Mars Tom, I doan' _want_ no sich glory.  Snake take 'n bite Jim's chin off, den _whah_ is de glory?  No, sah, I doan' want no sich doin's.” “Blame it, can't you _try_?  I only _want_ you to try--you needn't keep it up if it don't work.” “But de trouble all _done_ ef de snake bite me while I's a tryin' him. Mars Tom, I's willin' to tackle mos' anything 'at ain't onreasonable