He did not attempt to shrink away, only looked round for something else to seize as a weapon, and then he stared strangely at Mrs. Cameron, who had sprung up.
"Harry! What is it?" she cried hoarsely. "Did it bite you?"
"Don't know," he said, in a curious, husky voice. "I—I think so; but
I've killed it."
"But where? Show me where?" panted Mrs. Cameron wildly.
For answer Harry drew back the cuff from his right wrist, and held it up.
"There," he said.
Without a moment's hesitation Mrs. Cameron caught the lad's hand and arm and raised it to her lips, sucking the tiny puncture with all her power, and then, as she withdrew her lips for a moment, she shrieked out,—
"Duncan! Duncan! Help, help!" before placing her lips to the bite again.
"What's the matter?" cried Phra, running to them from the gate. "Mrs.
Cameron! Hal! What is it?"
"Snake," said Harry faintly, just as Phra caught sight of the writhing creature, struck at it, and watching his opportunity crushed its head into the ground with his heel, the reptile in its dying agonies twining tightly about his ankle and leg.