The next instant she shot upon her daughter, and clutched her throat with the fiendishness of despair.
But, Swamp Oak darted to the rescue! He sprung upon the mad-woman; but was hurled against the wall of the cave by Ulalah, whom Coleola had suddenly transformed into her battle ax!
“Snakes an’ lizards, what a devil!” cried Doc Bell, and he sprung at the Snake Queen, who was retreating toward the corridor, with the imperiled girl describing fearful circles before her.
“Back!” yelled Coleola.
But the daring hunter would not obey.
He flung his rifle above his head, and the blow descended upon the arm of the infuriated woman. Ulalah, speechless, fell to the ground.
The Snake Queen reeled, but ere she struck the ground, Swamp Oak was upon her.
He thought not of slow torture then. He thought Ulalah dead, so motionless she lay on the floor of the cavern, and his knife sunk to the haft in the red-woman’s bosom! Then, while she gasped for life, the reeking blade tore her tongue from her mouth, and he sprung aloft with a hideous yell of triumph!
The spectators shuddered at the awful sight; but they were soon called upon to witness other scenes.
Doc Bell turned to Jules Bardue as Swamp Oak bent over the woman he loved.