Presently they were startled by hearing a cry from a distance.
They listened intently, then Cujo held up his hand.
"Me go an' see about dat," he said. "Keep out ob sight, all ob you!" And he glided into the bushes with the skill and silence of a snake.
Another wait ensued, and Tom improved the time by again bathing his foot in a pool which was discovered not far from where Cujo had left them. The water seemed to do much good, and the youth declared that by the morrow he reckoned he would be able to do a fair amount of walking if they did not progress too rapidly.
"But what a country this is!" he murmured. "I declare they could burn wood night and day for a century and never miss a stick."
"I thought I heard some monkeys chattering a while ago," answered
Sam. "I suppose the interior is alive with them."
"I dun see a monkey lookin' at us now, from dat tree," observed
Aleck. "See dem shinin' eyes back ob de leaves?" He pointed with
his long forefinger, and both, boys gazed in the direction. Then
Tom gave a yell.
"A monkey? That's a snake! Look out for yourselves!"
He started back and the others did the same. And they were none too soon, for an instant later the leaves were thrust apart and a serpent's form appeared, swaying slowly to and fro, as if contemplating a drop upon their very heads!