"A carpet snake; but I killed it, thank God."
"A carpet snake!"
"Nearly eight feet long."
"Why, there's one up here about the same size, must be its mate. That one must have fallen down. I've killed this one!"
But the raised voice quavered; the lad was whimpering, shivering against the sky. Denis became himself.
"Let down the bucket, Jimmy."
"Oh! Oh! I haven't got the strength to draw you up, I know!"
"What's happened—what else?"
"It's Jewson," the boy's voice came blubbering down.
"What's happened to him?"