It was evidently intended to mean, “Look out, doctor,” for the boys caught sight for a moment of his raised spear, which disappeared directly, and it was patent to all that it was being plunged again and again in among the tangled growth.
The next moment the blows were resumed, as the serpent began to flog the bushes. There was another report from the doctor’s piece; the bushes all about were in motion for a minute or two, and then the noise of the reptile’s writhing ceased.
“Killed him, doctor?” cried Mark.
“Can’t say, my boy,” was the reply, “but I am afraid I have completely spoiled my specimen.”
“Never mind, sir,” said Dean; “it will be all right for the soup. But do you think it’s safe to go near? I want to see what the monster’s like.”
“So do I,” cried Mark; “but we will soon have him out. Here, Buck, step in, lay hold and haul him out into the open.”
“Where’s that, Mark?” said his father, smiling.
“Well, where it’s most open, dad. Now then, you Buck, look alive!”
“No, thank you, sir,” said the man, grinning. “I don’t want to see him.”
“Bah!” cried Mark. “You are afraid.”