"There—-under the tree roots."
Snap was right; a big snake was close at hand, under some tree roots over which they had just stepped.
"I don't want anything to do with a snake," gasped Giant. "Let us get out of here!"
Then all of the young hunters gazed at each other in dismay. The snake was directly in their path to the shore proper.
It was a water reptile and all of five or six feet long. As they approached, it raised its head and gave a curious hissing sound.
All of the boys crowded back. Only Whopper had his gun, the other weapons having been left at the foot of the other nut trees. The snake certainly looked ugly. Evidently it did not like having its domain invaded.
"I'll give it a shot!" cried Whopper, and raised the shotgun carefully.
But just as he was on the point of firing, the reptile disappeared.
"Where is he?"
"He went under the tree roots."
"Maybe he took to the water."