ch it was shivered to a
shapeless mass of fragments, under the pressure of the mighty coils.
Then, as the serpent flung himself on shore, they realized that it was
time to act. A blazing torch in the Greek's hand lit up the scene as
Guy cocked his rifle and awaited an opportunity for a shot.

It was not slow in coming. As the long neck and head darted forward, Guy
fired, and the bullet tore its way through the reptile's throat.

There was no necessity for a second shot. The death-agony began right
there, and in its convulsive throes the serpent flung himself back into
the water, and with a final quiver disappeared in the depths of the
lake, leaving a trail of blood on the silvery white sand.

With expressions of gratitude for their escape, all hurried down to the
broken canoe.

"A hundred men could never put this together again," said Guy, as he
pulled a couple of floating fragments from the water.

The torches and rugs were easily procured, and laid away to dry, but the
lamp and the oil-flask could not be found. They were probably at the
bottom, but no one cared to dive after them.

"That was the closest shave I ever saw," said the colonel. "I gave you
both up for lost, and as for that daring act of yours, Chutney, I cannot
find words to express my admiration. You saved Sir Arthur's life."

Guy modestly made no reply. He calmly pulled on his jacket and shoes,
and suggested that they cross the island and take a look at the other
serpent.

The reptile was found to be quite dead, and little wonder, after all the
spears that had entered his coils. As near as they could judge, he was
between thirty and forty feet long, with a body as thick as a small keg.
The skin was repulsive and slimy, of a dirty green color.

"It's a regular sea-serpent," said Melton. "What a sensation a monster
of this kind would make if he were put on exhibition at the Zoo."

"And the other one was fully as large," added Guy. "That makes no less
than four we have already encountered. There must be a great many in the
river and lake."

One glimpse of the creature sickened Sir Arthur. He turned away and sat
down on the edge of the raft.

Up to this moment the excitement had banished all else from their minds.
They had fought a desperate fight for life and conquered. At the very
flush of their success the shadow of certain death returned, blacker and
more forbidding than ever, and in a moment their triumphant feelings
were changed to deepes