The path around the shore of Butterfly Island was rough, but the young folks did not mind this. Jack led the way, and he and the other cadets helped the girls down and up the rocks, and “jumped” them over the hollows. All were in the best of spirits, and the woods rang with laughter.
“Come on out to the headland,” said Andy presently, and led the way to a narrow strip of land extending out into the lake for fully a hundred feet. All followed and Andy was about to point out some object of interest when Pepper, who chanced to glance back, uttered a cry of alarm.
CHAPTER XXI
AN ADVENTURE WITH SNAKES
“What’s the matter, Pepper?” questioned Jack, quickly.
“What did you see?” asked Andy.
“Why, I—er—I guess I was mistaken,” stammered Pepper, looking first at his chums and then at the girls.
“But what was it?” questioned Laura. “Why, you gave a regular jump!”
“Why I—er—that is—Oh, never mind,” answered Pepper. “Go on, I’ll be with you in a minute,” and he turned back on the rocks.
“Something is wrong,” muttered Dale to himself, and as Andy and Jack went on with the girls he sided up to The Imp. “What was it?” he asked in a low tone.
“I think I saw a big snake, Dale.”