Blood flowed in torrents, and the reptile was evidently weakening.
Barney at an opportune moment raised his clubbed rifle and made a blow at the snake’s head.
It was a lucky stroke.
The reptile was almost instantly brained, and the battle was over.
CHAPTER IX.
INTO THE DEPTHS.
The battle was won, but what of Pomp?
The darky lay in an inanimate heap upon the stone floor.
Frank was quickly by his side, however. His first move was to feel the darky’s pulse.
With a cry of joy he reached for a whisky flask which Buckden produced.
“He is alive!” he cried. “It is about certain that we shall save him.”