“Take care, Dan,” cried Mark, as the sailor prepared to jump down again into the hole.
“I just will, sir!”
“Yes, but mind this,” said the doctor. “Stir up the stones, and if you see it, give it just a touch or two with the edge of the spade. I don’t want it injured.”
“All right, sir,” said the man; and spade in hand he approached the foot of the wall, cautiously holding the tool at arm’s length, all looking on eagerly, while the doctor, armed as he was with the double gun, shared the position with the sailor of the most important figures there.
“Ready, sir?” whispered Dan, as he reached forward.
“Yes, quite,” replied the doctor.
“They are small shot, arn’t they, sir?” said Dan.
“Small shot don’t hurt much, do they, Bob?” cried Mark, laughing.
“No, sir. I have got one left in my neck now.”
“Don’t you be afraid of my shot,” replied the doctor. “I shall not hit you. But take care of yourself if you start the serpent.”