The stunning report shook the cavern; then, as Forbes turned to flee, the enraged monster, with blood streaming from a hole in his neck, threw his slimy coils forward in convulsions of agony, and, before the eyes of his horrified companions, Melton was pinned to the ground.
He struggled to his knees, fighting desperately to loosen the tightening coils, and uttering heartrending appeals for help.
Then, with a mighty hiss, the serpent flapped wildly toward the water, dragging his victim with him, and with a terrific splash and a resounding slap of the great tail on the moist sand, both disappeared in the gloom.
With a terrible cry Guy ran to the water’s edge and shouted again and again.
No response came back. The black river flowed as smoothly and calmly as before.
“Lost! Lost!” he cried hoarsely, and staggering backward he fell heavily on the sand.
The colonel ran to his assistance, and at that moment a single cry came distinctly from a point below the island.
“Listen!” exclaimed Canaris. “What is that?”
“Help! Help!” rang mournfully through the recesses of the cavern.
It was Melton’s voice surely, and the familiar tones reached Guy’s ears and brought him to his feet in an instant.