The four young hunters gazed anxiously. Then of a sudden they saw the snake again. It came up through the tree roots almost at their feet, hissing more viciously than ever.
CHAPTER XXIII
AFTER MOUNTAIN BROOK MINK
"Shoot him, Whopper!"
Such was the exclamation from all of the others, and in haste the lad named took hasty aim and pulled the trigger.
The shot was a poor one, the charge merely tearing across the side of the water snake. With another hiss it whipped around and in a twinkling had itself curled around Whopper's left leg.
"Hi! take him off! Take him off!" screamed the young hunter, in terror. "Don't let him bite me!"
Snap sprang forward. His one idea was to save his chum, and he did not think of his own peril.
"Beware!" cautioned Giant.
Watching his chance, Snap put his foot on the tail of the water snake. The reptile whipped around wildly and wound itself about the lower limbs of both boys.