"If there are, I'm sure I don't want to stay here any longer," added Annie Larkins.
"Who would dream of digging up snakes on this island?" murmured Martha. "Oh, it takes away all the fun of gathering ferns."
"Nevertheless, I am going to get that fern for you," announced Gif.
"But, Gif, there may be more snakes around that hole."
"Well, I'll take a chance. I don't think they are very dangerous, anyhow," answered the athletic cadet.
"Be on your guard, Gif," warned Jack, and then armed himself with several stones, and the other cadets did the same.
Gif approached the spot with caution and began to dig up the fern Martha had wanted. The other boys came quite close, but the girls kept their distance. No other snakes appeared, and soon Gif had the fern, which he took pleasure in presenting to Jack's sister.
"Thank you, Gif," she said politely. "It certainly is a beautiful fern, and I'll do my best to preserve it. But I think every time I look at it I'll remember those snakes."
"Oh, you mustn't mind anything like that, Martha. Why, we've met dozens of little snakes on our tours. I don't believe they'd hurt you."
"Maybe not, Gif; but they're such awful crawly things!"