In a minute more they could hear Hank come running back.
Then a bright light flashed through the window and traveled over the floor. The boys watched its progress with wide-open eyes.
At first it failed to reveal what it sought, and the boys trembled as they thought that the snake was possibly somewhere in the bunks. But a moment later there was a shout from Hank and the diamond back stood out plainly. He was coiled in a corner of the room and was striking out savagely at the light that blinded him.
Holding the flashlight steady in his left hand, Hank, with his right hand, pulled his revolver from his belt and fired. There was a splintering of glass and the bullet went straight and true, striking the reptile's head and shattering it to bits.
The great coils relaxed and there was a tremendous thrashing as the snake's body beat against the floor. Then Hank flung open the door and rushed in. He put two more bullets into the snake to make perfectly sure. Then with trembling hands he struck a match and lighted the candle.
"Come down now, boys," he called and there was a great thanksgiving in his tone. "This old rascal is settled fur fair. He won't never rattle again."
The boys almost fell down rather than climbed down from their place of refuge.
"It was all my fault," said Frank. "I leaned too heavily on the table and upset it."
"It was my fault more than yours," said Hank, soberly. "I never ought to hev left you kids alone fur a minute with that old lump of pizen."
At this moment, Mr. Claxton, alarmed by the sound of the shooting, hurried into the bunk-house.