Part 30 (1/2)
”O dear! did you say a snake?” caestion, Dunston Porter hurried back to one of the bungalows He reappeared with a shotgun, and lost no ti for the vicinity of the rock where the reptile had been seen In the meanwhile the four boys rejoined Luke and Shadow, and all swam back to the dock
”Oh, Dave, are you sure the snake didn't drop into the water after you?”
questioned Jessie, and her face showed her anxiety
”No, it retreated to the rocks further back,” was the answer
”Was it a poisonous snake?” asked Mrs Basswood
”I am sure I don't know”
”If there are snakes in these woods I don't think I'll care to go out very much,” commented Laura, with a shi+ver
”Snakes will just spoil everything,” added Jessie, dis the report of a shotgun rang out
”If that was Uncle Dunston shooting, he must have found Mr Snake,” were Dave's words
”I hope he did find the snake,” answered Roger ”If that reptile was left prowling around in this vicinity, none of the ladies would want to go out”
”And I wouldn't carefinished dressing, the boys lost no ti Dunston Porter toward the rock which had been the goal of the swi race
They found the old hunter and traveler searching through the brushwood back of the rocks
”Did you get it, Uncle Dunston?” questioned Dave
”I did,” was the reply ”What's left of that snake is over yonder,” and Mr Porter pointed with his hand ”I' around here to see if there are any more of thee froun had fairly torn the reptile to pieces, for when Dunston Porter had fired the snake had been coiled up, evidently ready for an attack
Ar themselves with clubs and stones, the boys joined Dunston Porter in the hunt for more reptiles, but their search was unsuccessful; and a little while later all returned to the bungalows
”Did you find any other snakes?” asked Jessie, after she had been told about the one that had been killed
”No, and I don't think there are any others,” answered Mr Porter
”Well, I hope there are not,” put in Laura, ”but if there are I wish you had found them”
”We can't find what isn't there,” said Luke, with a grin
”Say, that puts me in mind of a story,” burst out Shadow
”Wow!” ejaculated Roger ”Here coood one,” pleaded the would-be story-teller ”It's about an old college graduate as a regular fiend for football He would undergo alareat contest on between two of the big colleges, and although old Bixby nearly broke his back to get there, he didn't arrive until late 'Say, how is it going?' he puffed to a gate-keeper 'Nothing to nothing, ate-keeper 'Is that so?' returned old Bixby 'That's good! I haven't ,' and he passed in” And at this anecdote there was a general laugh