He leaped up in terror; and small wonder, for from under the flat rock a serpent, all of seven feet long, had glided. Now it raised its head and showed its cruel fangs, as if to strike at one or another of the startled party.
CHAPTER XV.
A LIVELY FIGHT WITH A SERPENT.
"A snake!"
"Kill it, somebody!"
"Run, before it strikes you!"
Such were some of the cries which rang out, as all started to secure places of comparative safety.
Then a pistol shot rang out. The report came from old Jacob's weapon, but the bullet passed over the serpent's head.
By this time all had crowded to the edge of the little opening.
Behind them was a series of jagged rocks, the climbing of which would be no easy task. In front was a cliff overlooking the valley, and on one side were heavy bushes.
The only escape, therefore, lay to their left. But here was where the snake had located itself, as if to make them prisoners.