Part 28 (1/2)

”Ah! there you are again,” said the colonel; ”still clinging to hope of life; still unable to realize the truth You are onlyit so much the harder for yourself”

”But there is surely some outlet to this vast body of water?” said Melton

”Yes,” was the colonel's reply ”Undoubtedly, but it must be at the bottom of the lake; it certainly is not on the surface Do you suppose those poor savages would have perished here if an outlet had existed?

They, too,channel, and no doubt they circu that they were lost, they either slew thes or they fell victims to the serpents without much resistance”

While Melton and the colonel were carrying on this conversation, Guy rose and went down to the water, with the intention of gathering sory

The canoe was pulled partly on shore, and as it leaked a little the water had all collected in the stern, where Sir Arthur still lay in s

Guy noticed this, and with a view tothe sleeper more comfortable, he slid the canoe down until it lay flat in the water It still retained a slight hold of an inch or two on the sand

A sudden cry froht him back in a hurry to the top of the island

His co out on the lake, and Canaris was pointing with a tre hand at some unseen object

”What is the matter?” cried Guy ”What do you see?”

”Hush,” said the colonel, holding up a warning finger ”So out on the lake Do you hear it splashi+ng in the water?”

As yet nothing could be seen, but the noise was very plain and distinct, a steady swish!+ swish!+ not unlike the beating of a little stearew on thee,in a circle round the island,” said Guy, ”and keeping an equal distance froht, Chutney,” said the colonel, after a pause ”The sound was on our left a ht”

The Greek was correct The surface of the lake was violently agitated, though not a breath of air was stirring, and a steady flow of ripples was breaking on the sandy beach like tiny ocean waves

The unknown navigator, whatever it was, had nearly completed the circuit of the island now, and was very near the spot where they had first heard it

”It rant that it doesn't approach the island”

He hurriedly picked up the torch and ran with it to the shore The radius of light thus thrown over the water illu, dark object raceful undulations over the surface It was beyond doubt a huge serpent, and, as though angered by the light, the ed its course, and with a terrific splash headed directly for the shore The huge head was in plain view, and the eyes flashed back fire frolare of the torch

For an instant all seemed paralyzed with horror, and no one moved

Chutney was the first to recover himself

”We ering back a pace or two ”Get the guns Quick! quick! or it will be too late!”