From that time on fishing went forward with more or less success for two hours, when each had a mess of about twenty, mostly of fair size.
“Not bad by any means,” declared Barringford, as he surveyed the catch. “But they’ll be fatter in a month or six weeks more, an’ sweeter, too.”
“Whoop! I’ve got another!” cried Dave, a second later. There came a savage tug on his line. “Must be a big one, Sam!”
“Perhaps you had better play him a bit,” suggested the frontiersman, but just then Dave brought the catch to light—an ugly water snake of a darkish color and with cold, staring eyes.
“My stars!” ejaculated Dave, and as the snake whipped toward him, he stepped back. Then the snake, somewhat dazed at being brought to the surface at this season of the year, made another turn, and struck at Dave’s foot. The young soldier gave a jump, and, like a flash, slipped into the hole in the ice. He tried to clutch the edge of the hole with his hands, but it was too slippery, and before Barringford could grab him, he had disappeared from view, and the water snake behind him.
CHAPTER XVIII
WINTER QUARTERS
For the instant after Dave disappeared under the water of the river he gave himself up for lost. The fearful chill struck him to the very heart, and he could think of nothing to do to save himself.
As mentioned, the snake came down after him, dragging a good part of the line, until the upper end was stopped by Barringford. Then, by a chance turn, the reptile loosened itself and lost no time in sinking away to parts unknown.
Dave gave a gasp and the icy water filled his mouth and some entered his lungs. Then his presence of mind returned and he floundered around, trying to reach the surface once more.