“I think you girls had better let us carry you,” said Pepper. “Then the snakes won’t be able to get at you, even if they do appear.”
At first the girls demurred at being carried. But they hated to step where the snakes had shown themselves, and finally consented. Pepper took Flossie in his arms and Jack followed with Laura, and Andy and Dale, armed with stones and their jackknives, led the way. The girls might have giggled at being taken up like children, but they were too alarmed to do so.
Just as the headland was passed and Pepper and Jack had deposited their burdens on their feet, Mr. and Mrs. Ford appeared. The gentleman and his wife were greatly excited.
“Didn’t we hear the girls scream?” asked the lady anxiously.
“I guess you did, mamma,” answered Laura.
“We ran into a nest of snakes!” said Flossie. “The boys killed two of them! Oh, it was awful!” And Flossie ran to her mother and caught her by the arm.
“Snakes!” exclaimed Rossmore Ford. “Where?”
The boys pointed out the spot and told what had been done. Mr. and Mrs. Ford were much concerned.
“You had better not climb over any more of the rocks,” said the lady. “It is too dangerous.”
“I don’t think the snakes are poisonous,” said her husband. “Still, I think we had all better try to keep out of their way after this. I did not think there were any on the island.”