"But I won't have the stick poked down his hole!" cried Swan, while Hugh shouted down his defiance—
"'Underneath this hazelin mote
There's a braggerty worm with a speckled throat,
Now!
Nine double hath he.'
"That means he's got nine rings."
"Well, I shall allers say I'm surprised at such nonsense. What do you think he cares for it all?"
"Why, we told you it would make him twist himself up to nothing. Go on,
Hughie. It's very useful to be able to get rid of snakes."
"'Now from nine double to eight double,
And from eight double to seven double,
And from seven double to six double.
And from six double to five double,
And from five double to four double,
And from four double to three double.'
(He's getting very tight now!)
"'And from three double to two double,
And from two double to one double,
Now!
No double hath he,'
"There, now he's gone, doubled up to nothing. Now dig, Swanny, and you'll see he's gone."
"It's only an old Cornish charm," said Valentine. "I often heard it when
I was a boy."