It was not slow in coming. As the long neck and head darted forward, Guy fired, and the bullet tore its way through the reptile's throat.
There was no necessity for a second shot. The death-agony began right there, and in its convulsive throes the serpent flung himself back into the water, and with a final quiver disappeared in the depths of the lake, leaving a trail of blood on the silvery white sand.
With expressions of gratitude for their escape, all hurried down to the broken canoe.
"A hundred men could never put this together again," said Guy, as he pulled a couple of floating fragments from the water.
The torches and rugs were easily procured, and laid away to dry, but the lamp and the oil-flask could not be found. They were probably at the bottom, but no one cared to dive after them.
"That was the closest shave I ever saw," said the colonel. "I gave you both up for lost, and as for that daring act of yours, Chutney, I cannot find words to express my admiration. You saved Sir Arthur's life."
Guy modestly made no reply. He calmly pulled on his jacket and shoes, and suggested that they cross the island and take a look at the other serpent.
The reptile was found to be quite dead, and little wonder, after all the spears that had entered his coils. As near as they could judge, he was between thirty and forty feet long, with a body as thick as a small keg. The skin was repulsive and slimy, of a dirty green color.
"It's a regular sea-serpent," said Melton. "What a sensation a monster of this kind would make if he were put on exhibition at the Zoo."
"And the other one was fully as large," added Guy. "That makes no less than four we have already encountered. There must be a great many in the river and lake."