With quick hand, he seized the throttle rein and started the Steam Man ahead.
Then he turned him face on to the reptile. He had barely time to do this, when the monster struck the machine.
In a flash the folds of the reptile were wound about the Steam Man.
The foresight and wisdom of Frank’s move were at once seen.
If the snake had struck the wagon, he might have crushed the screen with its leviathan folds.
As it was, the air was instantly filled with the fumes of burning snake flesh.
The huge snake’s body coming in contact with the almost red hot fire box of the Steam Man, received a terrific scorching.
For an instant his snakeship did not seem to mind this and made terrific blows with his head at the screen.
He strove in vain to reach the men within.
“Whurro!” yelled Barney. “Yez did a wondherful thing thin, Misther Frank. Shure, the big divil is burnin’ up.”