"Go ahead with the funeral," said Frank, stoutly. "If you have made up your mind to murder me, I can't help myself; but one thing is sure—you'll not hear me beg."
"Wait till you know what your fate is to be. Boys, set his feet free, and then follow me, with him between you."
The cords which held Frank's feet were released, and he was lifted to a standing position. Then he was marched along after Gage, who led the way.
"Good-by," Frank called back.
Into the woods he was marched, and finally Gage came to a halt, motioning for the others to stop.
"Look!" he cried, pointing; "there is the serpent vine!"
On the ground before them, lay a mass of greenish vines, blossoming over with a dark red flower. Harmless enough they looked, but, as Gage drew a little nearer, they suddenly seemed to come to life, and they began reaching toward his feet, twisting, squirming, undulating like a mass of serpents.
"There!" shouted Leslie—"there is the vine that feeds on flesh and blood! See—see how it reached for my feet! It longs to grasp me, to draw me into its folds, to twine about my body, my neck, to strangle me!"
The sailors shuddered and drew back, while Frank Merriwell's face was very pale.
"It did fasten upon me," Gage continued. "If I had not been ready and quick with my knife, it would have drawn me into its deadly embrace. I managed to cut myself free and escape."