They were not above eighty or ninety yards from the house, and they hurried on, closely followed by Aunt Georgie, meaning to go in by the principal door, when all at once a black figure, having a very magpieish look from the fact of his being clothed in an exceedingly short pair of white drawers, came from behind the house, and seeing them, came forward.
“Hi! Shanter!” shouted Norman, “look out. Big snake.”
The black’s hand went behind him instantly, and reappeared armed with his nulla-nulla as he looked sharply round for the reptile.
“No, no; in the house,” cried Norman, leading the way toward the open door so as to get the guns.
Shanter bounded before him, flourishing his club, all excitement on the instant.
“No, no; let me come first,” said the boy, in a low husky voice. “I want to get the guns. The snake’s in the kitchen.”
The black stopped short, and stood with his club hanging down, staring at the boy. Then a grin overspread his face as Norman reappeared with two loaded guns, one of which he handed to Tim, Rifle having meanwhile armed himself with an axe, from where it hung just inside the door.
“Now then, come on round to the back. It’s a big one.”
But Shanter laughed and shook his head.
“Ah, plenty game,” he said. “Baal play game.”