Part 22 (2/2)

”But I don't intend to wound it,” replied Melton ”I'ly head Stand back, Chutney; stand back”

As he spoke he advanced recklessly until the muzzle of his rifle ithin two feet of the serpent's head, and, taking a quick ai report shook the cavern; then, as Forbes turned to flee, the enragedfrom a hole in his neck, threw his sliony, and, before the eyes of his horrified coled to his knees, fighting desperately to loosen the tightening coils, and uttering heartrending appeals for help

Then, with a ging his victi slap of the great tail on the looe 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 le cry came distinctly from a point below the island

”Listen!” exclai h the recesses of the cavern

It was Melton's voice surely, and the faht him to his feet in an instant

”It's Forbes!” he shouted wildly ”The canoe, quick,” and snatching the heavy craft, he fairly threw it into the river and sprang in

Canaris leaped after hi paddles they drove the canoe swiftly toward the distant sound

”We are co,” cried Guy ”We'll save you yet”

In their haste the lighted torch had been left behind, but fortunately the Greek hadcheerfully over the water

”This way, Chutney,” came a feeble voice below them ”Hurry up I'm nearly exhausted”

A few rapid strokes of the paddle brought the object on the surface of the water, and as the canoe ran skilfully alongside, Guy dropped his paddle, and, leaning out, seized the drowning ed him into the canoe without assistance

”Thank God!” he cried, ”he's safe Speak to me, Forbes Are you hurt?”

But Melton lay white and helpless in the bottoht,” said Canaris ”Don't le to ht Far above the them further away

”I can't paddle and hold the torch at the saht on the island”

And they bent to the paddles with a will, shouting froe the colonel and Sir Arthur It was even a harder task than they had feared--to force the canoe through that fierce rush of water

And for a ti

But at last the distant light grew brighter, and soon their friends could be seen standing on the edge of the island

Ten ht the canoe to the sently upon the sand They climbed wearily out and bore Melton tenderly up the slope His clothes were foul and slimy from the serpent's embrace, but he did not seem to be injured