“I feel sure of it, Ned,” said Jack anxiously. “Look at the swollen poison glands.”
“That settles it. Seems to me like a duty to kill poisonous things. I know what it is to be poisoned, sir.”
He gave his shoulder a twist, and advanced toward the serpent with his spear-handle ready.
“You keep back, sir, and let me have room to swing my spear round.”
“No; I want to kill this one, Ned.”
“Better not, sir. It’s risky. You might miss.”
“You be ready to strike him if I do.”
“Very well then, sir; only be careful. A good swish round will do it, but snakes are quick as lightning, and we’ve had trouble enough without you getting bitten.”
The snake rose higher, and prepared to strike as Jack advanced, holding his spear in both hands, and waiting his opportunity, he brought it round with all his force, but the end passed, through his miscalculation of the distance, a couple of inches short of the reptile’s head, and before the lad could recover himself to make another blow, the creature struck back, and would have fastened upon him but for Ned’s quick interposition of his own spear-handle, against which the serpent struck instead.
The next moment Ned struck again, full on the creature’s back, and it was helpless now for attack, writhing in amongst the growth till Jack obtained another fine cut at it, and the battle was at an end.