“Get it, Dan!” shouted Walter. “Use your oar! Hit it!”
The young oarsman obediently swung the skiff about and started swiftly in pursuit of the reptile, but before the weeds were gained the snake disappeared and a further search failed to reveal its presence.
“Too bad, Walter,” said Dan lightly. “What did you want of it?”
“Why, I’d have the skin tanned or stuffed and hang it on the wall of my room in school.”
“What for?”
“‘What for?’ For an ornament.”
“Do the boys in the Tait School think snakes are ornamental?”
“Well, it would be interesting anyway. But it’s gone now and there’s no use in talking about it any more. You weren’t quick enough, Dan.”
“No, I wasn’t quick enough, that’s a fact. A fellow would have to be about as lively as a flash of lightning to catch one of those fellows on the water.”
“Did you ever see as big a one as that was?”