“But I must look at it,” cried Ned excitedly. “I can’t help it. Horrid! Here, you two are not looking the right way.”
“I’m looking at you, my lad,” said Griggs kindly.
“And so are you, Chris. Don’t—please don’t. Look there; I want you to see what it means.”
“Ugh!” gasped Chris, as he turned his eyes in the direction pointed out by his companion, and that which he saw then was evidently seen now by his nag, which started violently, and but for the tight hand the lad had upon the rein it would have dashed off.
“Here, have you got it too?” cried Griggs. “There, sit still till the water-kegs come up, and you must have a drink apiece. The sun has been too much for you, and—”
He said no more, but sat staring in one direction with his mouth wide open and his eyes seeming ready to start out of his head.
“Hallo, here! hallo!” cried the doctor, cantering up, closely followed by Wilton and Bourne, leaving their position in the rear unguarded. “What’s the matter—the boys taken ill?”
“Snakes,” cried Griggs hoarsely. “Look yonder.”
Griggs’ words were unnecessary, for the doctor’s eyes had lighted upon the extraordinary sight that had startled Ned into his wild announcement.
The next moment his companions had grasped the phenomenon, and had hard work to keep their mounts from dashing frantically away.