To the Death (1915)

The Warrens and the Darbys, sworn enemies, are engaged in a deadly feud until finally but one member of each family remains alive, Jim Warren and Joe Darby. By chance, some years later, Jim gets a job at the ranch where Joe is employed. The two men recognize each other and the old hatred breaks out anew. While out riding the range the two men get to fighting. They are seen by an old miner and hermit, who, after learning the cause of their quarrel, says: "You think you hate each other, but to convince yourselves that the hate is not genuine, will you take a test?" They assent, and leading them to his cabin, he shows them a box containing a huge rattlesnake. He suggests Jim and Joe cut the cards and the first to turn up an ace thrust his hand into the rattlesnake box. Watching each other narrowly, the men commence cutting the cards until, finally, Joe turns up an ace. Goaded on by the taunts of the other, he plunges his hand into the box. The snake strikes, and overcome by horror, he sinks into a chair, watching the little red spot on his arm as if fascinated. For a while Jim gloats over his enemy's fate, but gradually his sneer changes to a look of pity, and he grasps Joe's arm in an attempt to suck out the poison. With a smile of satisfaction the old miner then explains that the snake is perfectly harmless, that he had extracted its fangs. They turn to Joe, only to find the man is dead; he has died of fright.

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Summary Details
GenresShort Western