Part 20 (2/2)

While Harry was occupied with these reflections, suddenly a peculiar sound came to his ears, and, looking up, he was startled by the sight of a blacksnake, at least four feet long, which, with head erect, was gazing intently at him.

Whatever may be the cause of the repulsion that exists between the human race and the snake, it is, at all events, genuine, and Harry shared it.

With distended eyes he gazed at this sleek foe of humankind, and felt a strong desire to throw something at it, or crush it under foot. But, alas! he was able to do neither.

Suppose it should advance upon him, helpless and unable to defend himself, and strike its fangs into his flesh, or curl, with slippery fold, about him! What could he do? The perspiration came out upon his brow, and he made a tremendous effort to get away.

Apparently conscious of his helplessness, the snake remained quietly looking at him, and began, after a pause, to slowly glide toward him.

Harry uttered a shrill cry of alarm, which, I am sure, under the circ.u.mstances, was not discreditable to his courage, and his soul was filled with horror and repulsion.

It was a fortunate cry, for it brought help. The sound of flying feet was heard, and an instant later a boy of about his own age came rus.h.i.+ng up.

”What's the matter?” he asked.

”Look there!” said Harry, hastily.

”By Jehosophat!” exclaimed the boy, and, advancing toward the snake, he aimed a blow at his crest with a rough, stout stick which he held in his hand.

The blow fell with good effect. The snake had not yet seen his new adversary, and was taken unawares. The jagged stick tore his skin, and his head dropped forward, maimed and writhing.

”Follow it up!” cried Harry, in excitement. ”Kill him!”

”I'll do it!” said the boy, and he sprang forward to renew his attack.

He found a rock, or, rather, a large stone, close at hand, with which he bruised the serpent's head and killed him.

”Ugh, you ugly beast!” he said, in a tone of disgust, miscalling his victim. But, then, a country boy is hardly expected to be well up in natural history.

”Thank you,” said Harry, breathing a sigh of relief.

”Why didn't you kill him yourself?” asked the boy. Then, for the first time, noticing in the indistinct light Harry's condition, he said, in surprise: ”What's the matter with you?”

”You see I'm tied.”

”Who tied you?”

”That's a long story. Just untie me, there's a good fellow, and I'll tell you.”

The boy whipped out a knife from his pocket and quickly cut the cord.

Harry sprang up and stretched his arms and legs.

”It seems good to be free once more,” he said. ”But who tied you?”

”Two boys that had a spite against me. At least, one had, and the other was his friend.”

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