e boy's pulsations seemed to have ceased, but only for
a heavy throbbing to set in, before he gave vent to a low gasp of
relief. For the doctor's voice came clearly to them in the grateful
word, "_Crushed_!"

"It's all right, sir," said Griggs loudly then. "I've cut through him
twice, and he has dropped off. Haul away there and pull 'em close up."

The order was obeyed by hand, and the kegs, illumined by the light cast
upon them by the lanthorn, were drawn right up to the halting-place.

"Don't cheer, boys," said the doctor, anticipating a shout. "Here,
Griggs," he continued, "let's have a little sand over the chain where
you cut that horrible reptile away."

"Hold the light a little lower, sir," said the American. "It's all
right," he added the next minute, after the light had played over the
connecting-links of the two kegs. "Sand's cleared it all away as they
came. They're as clean as can be. I can't see anything on the rope or
hook either."

"Was there one on it?" asked Chris eagerly.

"Yes, a big 'un," replied Griggs. "He'd tied himself in a tight knot
close round the hook and the chain."

"It must have been that he was crushed when the kegs were first moved,"
said the doctor.

"Nay, sir; I fancy that it was when I hooked the chain. I fancy I must
have caught him fast and dragged him close up."

"And then, in resentment," said the doctor, "the beast twined itself up
tightly;--just like an eel on a night-line, boys," he added.

"Did you cut it away, Griggs?" asked Chris.

"Yes. I just slipped the point of my knife in between two of his coils
twice over, gave a sharp push, and he dropped down wriggling at once."

"Did you see many more?" asked Ned.

"Nary one, my lad."

"A bucket here," said the doctor. "Let's run out a pannikin from one
keg for each of the mustangs."

"Won't want a bucket then, sir."

"Nonsense, man! We can't give the mustangs their drop out of a tin. I
want it poured into the bottom of the bucket so that each can suck it up
to the last drop."

"I see, sir," cried Griggs, and as the tompion-like stop was unscrewed
from the bung-hole of a keg, a shallow iron bucket was cast loose from
one of the mule's loads, the noise in the darkness nearly driving the
whole team frantic, connecting the rattle of the handle as they did with
water.

But they were kept back while the mustangs each took their tiny
portions, uttering a piteous remonstrance-like sigh as the bucket was