A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.
Guy had presence of mind enough to strike a second match and ignite the torch, which was fortunately within reach of his hand, and as his companions, roused from their sleep by his sharp cry of alarm, sprang excitedly to their feet, the flaming glare revealed to their astonished gaze a monstrous serpent coiled half on land, half in the water, at the edge of the island.
The flat, ugly head, with its wicked eyes, was darting angrily to and fro, and the body was as thick as a man’s leg above the knee.
“Great Cæsar, it’s a sea-serpent!” cried Forbes, making a dash for his rifle, while Sir Arthur, with a dismal groan, dropped down on his knees and had to be dragged forcibly away by the colonel.
The glare of the torch seemed to anger the monster, for it advanced a yard or more up the island, and spattered the water furiously with its great tail.
A general rush was made for the canoes, and it would have been no difficult matter to have slipped quickly away and left the hideous monster in undisputed possession of the island.
Unluckily Forbes was bent on resistance. He seized his rifle, made sure that it was ready for use, and started forward just as Guy hurried to his assistance.
“Come away, Melton,” he cried; “it will only make things worse if you wound it.”
“But I don’t intend to wound it,” replied Melton. “I’m going to put a ball through that ugly head. Stand back, Chutney; stand back.”
As he spoke he advanced recklessly until the muzzle of his rifle was within two feet of the serpent’s head, and, taking a quick aim, pulled the trigger.