“That ain’t mo snake bite,” said Dave. “It’s a moskiteer.”
“It’s a snake bite!” insisted Tom. “You’ll have to cut the bit outer me leg and tie a string round, and swim across an’ get a doctor!!”
Dave exploded in ribald laughter.
“You’re a dam scoundrel, Dave Gibson!” shouted Tom, hysterically. “I tell you I am bit by a snake!”
“No you ain’t,” chortled Dave, “No you ain’t.”
“I am!” cried Tom. “I tell you I am, an’ if I die I’ll come and haunt you, you brute!”
“Oh! oh!” roared Dave. “Oh—ow—oh!”
“Get up,” shouted Tom, kicking his mate furiously in the ribs. “Get up an’ tie some string round me! Get up an’ cut the bit out, I tell you! Good God, Dave Gibson, ain’t you got any sense or feeling or understandin’?”
“Ah, Oh!” cried Dave. “Let up, you fool! You ain’t bit; I only pinched yer!”