Acting on Dave's suggestion, Dunston Porter hurried back to one of the bungalows. He reappeared with a shotgun, and lost no time in making for the vicinity of the rock where the reptile had been seen. In the meanwhile the four boys rejoined Luke and Shadow, and all swam back to the dock.
"Oh, Dave, are you sure the snake didn't drop into the water after you?" questioned Jessie, and her face showed her anxiety.
"No, it retreated to the rocks further back," was the answer.
"Was it a poisonous snake?" asked Mrs. Basswood.
"I am sure I don't know."
"If there are snakes in these woods I don't think I'll care to go out very much," commented Laura, with a shiver.
"Snakes will just spoil everything," added Jessie, dismally.
While the boys and girls were dressing the report of a shotgun rang out.
"If that was Uncle Dunston shooting, he must have found Mr. Snake," were Dave's words.
"I hope he did find the snake," answered Roger. "If that reptile was left prowling around in this vicinity, none of the ladies would want to go out."