“As we most likely shall be, whether or no.”
“Never mind, off!”
Drew dropped flat upon the sand, and, dragging his gun after him, began to crawl as fast as he could towards the cocoa-nut grove where the boat was hidden, and fortunately the distance was only short, for the sun beat down with tremendous force and the glistening coral sand was already growing very hot.
“I was never meant for a snake,” said Drew, as he painfully dragged himself along. “Ugh, you little wretch!” he cried, and thrusting forward his gun, he passed the muzzle under a little short thick viper, which lay basking just in his way, sent it flying, pitchfork fashion.
“Poisonous,” said Oliver, who noted where the flat, spade headed little serpent fell. “Looks wonderfully like an asp, such as they have in Egypt. Go on faster.”
“Can’t,” grumbled Drew, but he did exert himself, and soon after rose with a sigh of relief, well hidden by the grove of trees.
“No, no,” cried Oliver. “Never mind the canoes. Rimmer’s all right now. Why, Drew!”
“Yes?”
“Smith must have been in the lugger and gone off with him.”
“Smith?”