n ensued a most terrific struggle.

Instead of releasing his hold on Neal the reptile held firm, and put
forth every effort to sink in the deeper water to dislodge the more
formidable antagonist who was striking beneath the surface with his
weapon in the hope of hitting some vulnerable spot.

Jake stood on the bank holding the torch high above his head to prevent
it from being extinguished by the showers which were sent up by the
lashing of the monster's tail, and powerless to aid in the fight for
life.

Slowly but surely Neal was being pulled from the shore. With only the
sand to clutch he could retard, not check the saurian's movements, and
work as he might, it seemed impossible for Cummings to strike a fatal
blow.

"Drop your torch and seize the boy by the arms," the latter shouted as
he saw that the battle was going against him. "At this rate I shall soon
be where it will be out of the question to prolong the struggle."

Jake did as he was commanded, and in the darkness the remainder of the
terrible fight was waged.

The engineer pulled until to Neal it seemed as if his arms would be torn
from their sockets, and the alligator retained his hold as he struggled
to throw off Cummings.

The noise of the combat sounded almost deafening to Teddy, who was doing
his best to listen for any unusual disturbance among the foliage
outside, and he felt confident that if the enemy was anywhere in the
vicinity the secret of their hiding place would soon be discovered.

The struggle lasted only five minutes; but Neal would have said an hour
had passed since he was first seized, and then Cummings won the victory
by slipping from the alligator's back regardless of the rapidly moving
tail, and stabbing him under the fore leg.

Even then it appeared as if the victory was to be purchased at a great
cost, for, in order to avoid being killed by the monster's dying
struggles, Cummings was forced to release his hold, and the current
carried him rapidly toward the channel formed by the waters through the
rock.

"Light the torch!" he shouted, putting forth all his strength in order
to breast the tide. "I'm in the middle of the stream, and likely to be
carried through the wall."

Jake had pulled Neal high up out of the water the instant the
alligator's hold was released, and at this appeal he dropped him
suddenly, groping around for the bundle of wood so hurriedly cast aside.

It was several seconds before he could find it, and t