"There---under the tree roots."
Snap was right; a big snake was close at hand, under some tree
roots over which they had just stepped.
"I don't want anything to do with a snake," gasped Giant. "Let
us get out of here!"
Then all of the young hunters gazed at each other in dismay. The
snake was directly in their path to the shore proper.
It was a water reptile and all of five or six feet long. As they
approached, it raised its head and gave a curious hissing sound.
All of the boys crowded back. Only Whopper had his gun, the other
weapons having been left at the foot of the other nut trees. The
snake certainly looked ugly. Evidently it did not like having its
domain invaded.
"I'll give it a shot!" cried Whopper, and raised the shotgun carefully.
But just as he was on the point of firing, the reptile disappeared.
"Where is he?"
"He went under the tree roots."
"Maybe he took to the water."
The four young hunters gazed anxiously. Then of a sudden they saw
the snake again. It came up through the tree roots almost at their
feet, hissing more viciously than ever.
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