Instantly Bart leaped onto the platform and lifted the unconscious girl to take her weight off the serpent, at the same time calling for an assistant to come and give him aid.
Then something happened that filled all beholders with horror. With a swift movement, the snake threw a coil round Bart’s legs. Another shout of horror went up from the men. The python twisted about Hodge with great swiftness, its head rising higher and higher.
Such snakes have strength in their natural state to crush the ribs of an ox. If the thing were to twine itself about Bart’s body and exert pressure the young college man would be killed before the eyes of the horrified spectators.
Out of the throng leaped a youth, who hastily snatched from his hip pocket a shining revolver.
It was Hock Mason. The Southerner leaped to the edge of the platform, with the weapon uplifted.
“Steady!” said Bart, in a calm voice. “Got to smash his head with the first shot! If you don’t——”
Mason had raised his revolver, but he could not get a shot at the head of the snake without great risk of fatally wounding Bart.
“Here!” he cried, dropping the weapon. “I’ll hold the creature! Somebody take that pistol and shoot its head off!”
Then, without the least hesitation, he grasped the snake with both hands just back of its head.