At the same time he yelled at the snake, and the reptile, much startled, dropped back into the stream and was lost to view.
"Dave Fearless!" gasped Bart Hankers, as soon as the danger from the snake was past.
"That boy!" came from Lemuel Hankers and Pete Rackley in a breath.
"Yes, it is I," answered the young diver, boldly.
"How did you get here?" demanded Lemuel Hankers, much disconcerted.
"Tumbled."
"Tumbled?"
"That is what I said, Lemuel Hankers. Have you any objection to my being here?"
"You followed us. You have been playing the part of a spy!" cried the rich man.
"How could I have followed you, seeing that I am on this side of the stream?"