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HOW ROOSEVELT TREATED A RATTLER Roosevelts raneh house stands on the banks of the Little Misouri River near the Had Imds of North Dakota. Here his faithful horse Manitoti was at home "The best and wisest horse I ever saw," Teddy would say. He knew when and where to stop and wait for T. R. to stalk up to deer, bear and other big game, and never ran away from him but once. That was in the Bad Lands. On one memorable occasion Manitou was left in a grassy plot wliile T. R. crept through the brush on the rocky side of a hill for a shot at a fine buck. Roosevelt heard the sharp whirr of a rattler, felt a click! on his collar and sprang to his feet and ran toward Manitou for whiskey. He thought lie was bitten and knew that quick action would save his life. Manitou raised his head and tail, gave a snort and tore through the chaparral for home and safety. The rattlers fangs had caught in the collar of T. R.s buckskin shirt; its four foot length whipped his sides as lie ran. Drawing his hunting knife lie cut the snakes head off. Manitou stood panting, snorting and trembling as T. R. walked meekly up. "What happened to you?" the foreman asked at the rancli house. "I lost a shot and the finest antlers you ever saw," T. R. replied as he examined his neck for a snake bite.
