Mark was willing, so the two boys set off at a fast pace.
“Look out where you’re going!” the professor called after them. “No telling what may be in those woods,” for the boys were approaching a little glade, on the edge of which the dead tree stood.
Jack reached the goal first, and stood leaning against the trunk, waiting for Mark.
“You’d better practice sprinting!” exclaimed the victor.
Mark was about to excuse himself for his poor showing, on the plea of having eaten too much breakfast, when to his horror he saw what seemed to be a long thin snake spring out from the branches of a near-by tree and twine itself about Jack.
“Help me! Save me!” cried the unfortunate boy, as he was lifted high into the air and pulled within the shadow of the wood.
For an instant Mark was too horror-stricken to move. Then with a shout that alarmed the others, who were coming along more slowly, he made a dash for the place he had last seen Jack.
Had old Andy not been on the watch, with those keen eyes of his, there might have been a double tragedy. He had seen from afar the sudden snatching up of Jack, and noted Mark’s rush to save his chum.
“Stand still! Don’t go in there for your life!” yelled the hunter, at the same time running forward with gun ready.
His example was followed by the professor, Washington and the other two men.