"He seems to be interested in something down in a hole. Wonder if it could be another bear's den?" laughed Frank.
"What ails you, Will?" demanded Bluff, as he and his comrade drew near.
"I'm in a peck of trouble again, that's what," replied the other.
"No quicksand this time, eh? And I see no sign of a bear. What's happened? Where is your camera?" asked Frank, quickly noting the fact that Will failed to have the little black box, as usual, in his hand.
"That's just what's the matter with me. The blessed things have taken possession, and I don't dare go near. Ugh! I always hated 'em like poison!"
Frank stepped closer to where he could look down into the gully which seemed to be holding the attention of his chum.
"Snakes!" he exclaimed.
"Wow! Look at the bunch, will you? They seem to think there's something mighty good in that same black box of yours, Will. See how they keep twisting around it, going and coming. Say, there are more of the vipers! Bless my soul, if they ain't peeking out of every crack in the place, dozens and dozens of 'em!" cried Bluff, aghast.
"Do you mean to say you were down there?" demanded Frank.
"Why, yes, and there wasn't one in sight then. I meant to cross over so as to get a view of the glen with the sun at my back. I laid down the camera to fasten my belt, where it had slipped. Just then I saw several of the nasty things creeping up close by me," and Will shivered.