“I didn’t know what to dae, gintlemen; and I was getting short o’ breath, and expectin’ every minute the brute would wriggle off, as he was sure to do at high water.
“I was in despair, boys, I can tell ye.”
“I should think so,” said Charlie.
“Suddenly,” said MacDonald, without moving a muscle, “I mindit me that I had a packet o’ a terribly strong explosive in my pouch.
“To think was to act.
“I quickly stuck the long fuze, and raxed[E] my hand wi’ the parcel as far as I could down the awful beast’s gullet.
“Nane ower soon, I can assure you.
“The beast was tickled a bit when I lichtit the fuse, and made at once for the water.
“Whizz—bang! and the whole top of his head was blown off, and I walked on shore!”
“And you weren’t hurt, Mac?”