Frank with his rifle tried to get a shot at the reptile’s head.
If he could only blow it off with one of the shells, the battle would be ended.
But the monster did not give him this opportunity.
Something desperate needed to be done. The metal work of the wagon threatened to give way.
Frank saw this and at once with his accustomed hardihood accepted a desperate chance.
Throwing open the door of the wagon, he sprang out.
The reptile’s head was above the wagon, and Frank instantly fired at it.
He was a dead shot and, undoubtedly, would have hit it, had it not been for the snake’s gyratory motion.
The reptile’s attention was instantly attracted toward Frank.
Singularly enough, its folds relaxed and it slid away from the wagon and started for the young inventor.