But for the full success of the stratagem light was needed. The Indians must see the fearsome thing in all its ghastliness.
Bomba felt about for one of the pine knots that in earlier days he had used to illuminate his play place. He found one, full of resin, and, concealed by the tree, lighted the torch. In a moment it was blazing brightly.
With a weird, hideous scream that rang through the silent jungle and startled it into a hundred echoes, Bomba left his shelter, flinging the torch ahead of him and dashed down upon that sinister ring of figures about the hut.
The ruse worked. There were shrieks of terror, and the savages gave way before the horrible vision of a snake that ran on two feet and made a noise like the screaming of demons!
The way to the hut was clear. In a few great bounds Bomba had reached it and catapulted himself through the doorway.
With a hoarse cry Casson grasped a spear that leaned against the wall near at hand and raised it on high.
“No, no, Casson! Do not strike!” gasped the boy, as he let the empty snake skin slip from him to the floor. “It is I, Bomba! Look!”
CHAPTER XXIV
AGAINST FEARFUL ODDS
An exclamation of amazement and relief fell from the old naturalist as he lowered the spear.
“But why—what—” he stammered, as he lay the weapon aside.