"What's the matter?" asked Percival, Jack's tone being one of alarm.
A shot rang out, and then Jack jumped back, exclaiming:
"I guess I've settled him, Dick!"
"What have you settled, Jack?"
"That fellow there," and Jack turned the light upon something at his feet and then pushed it aside.
"A snake!" exclaimed Percival. "You blew his head off. Is he very dangerous, Jack?"
"Well, not now," said the other with a dry laugh.
"No, I should say not. Would he have been?"
"He belongs to the family of dangerous snakes, one of the most dangerous, in fact. He is either a fer de lance or a first cousin to it, and either is a sort of creature to keep away from. The bite is nearly always fatal, as the virus acts so rapidly upon the system. It was lucky I turned on the light when I did. These creatures inhabit the dark places and are always ready for an unwary traveler."
"H'm! I think we had better keep in the light, Jack. We go into a dark water cave and run across a devil fish. Then we go into the dark woods and meet with this poison gentleman. Let's go back to the light!"