It was an uncertain aim, as the snake’s head kept gyrating and moving about in a lively manner.
But by great good luck the bullet struck the monster’s lower jaw.
It was instantly broken and hung limply. The snake gave almost a shriek of agony, and its folds partly relaxed.
Instantly Frank sprang forward and made a blow at the reptile with his knife.
It was a lucky blow, and cut a deep gash in the monster’s body, half severing it to the backbone.
Barney also rushed upon the snake.
The monster made a game fight, however. Its mighty coils relaxed, and it dropped Pomp from them and began to thrash about in fury.
Frank and Tony Buckden were knocked down like puppets.
The snake’s huge body literally filled the huge chamber, and thrashing about so furiously kept our explorers one moment upon their feet and the next upon the floor.
Hacking at the reptile with his knife, Frank had inflicted many wounds.