The first blow half severed the head from the body.
A huge jet of black blood spurted into Frank’s face and nigh choked him. But though half suffocated he made another blow.
The snake’s folds began to loosen, and the monster writhed and tried to free itself.
Frank instantly realized that he had won the victory and fought more coolly now.
Once more he made a blow at the snake’s neck.
This time it severed the head from the body completely.
The body of the snake went twisting and writhing a hundred yards across the plain, while Frank fell half fainting to the ground.
Barney and Pomp were quickly by his side and the Celtic cried:
“Be me sowl, Misther Frank, I did think yez wor done for, an’ it was a good foight yez made to be shure. Are yez badly hurted?”
“Not a bit, Barney,” said Frank, staggering to his feet. “It was only a little faintness, that was all.”