The shot pierced the snake’s brain.
The head dropped lifeless, but the huge body continued to writhe in the throes of death.
Frank swung the door of the cage open.
“Come, Tony!” he cried, cheerily. “Let’s pull the monster out, and we will then have the Steam Man once more in our possession.” Buckden needed no urging.
Both laid hold of the snake’s huge coils. It was a hard tug, but the huge monster was finally pulled out of the cage.
Then the two men sprang in and proceeded to put things to rights.
The snake had done no material damage, but the odor of its presence in the cage was something frightful.
However, Frank quickly dispelled this with a chemical, and then the Man’s course was set for a return to the treasure temple.
No obstacle was encountered upon the return.
Soon the Steam Man came in sight of the temple.