The Washington times., 1912-08-01
CHAPTER XVII.
The puf-Adder.

IOu re SLOW. N3FdD u puHcil, W ioc'os
and get into the smoke, II you don't
want to be stung."
Winthrope neither gathered any leaves
nor hurried himself until he was visit
ed by a highly irritated bee. Then he
obeyed with alarcity. -,
Blake was far too intent on other
matters to heed the Englishman! Leap
Ing in and out of the thick of the smoke
he pounded the ant-hill with his club
until he had broken a gaping hole Into
the cavity. The smoke, pouring into
the hive, made short work Of the bees
that had not already been suffocated.
Both the antelope skin drawn into the
shape of asmck, and the pot were filed
to oyerfowing with honey, and there
we're still more combs left than the
three could eat. .rt@r
Blake caught wmthrope smiling with
satisfaction as he licked his fingers.
whats the matter with my expedt-
tion now, VIM he demanded.
.T-ah-must admit, Blake, we have
had a most enjoyable change Of food. !"
..If you are sure 1t will agree with
you?" remarked Miss Leslie
But I am sure of that, Miss Gene
We've, 1 could digest anything today.
I'm fairly ravenous"
"An the more reason to be careful"
rejpined Blake. i guess. though, what
settle a bit, here in the shade, and then
hit the home trail" =,
Gould we not first go to the river,
Mr.. Blake? My hands are dreadfully
win will take you. It's only little
way, to the bank here. and there's not
much underbrush."
IF YOU think it's quite SAFE" re-
Eifs safe enough. Go on, You'll see
the river in half a minute Only thing,
you'd better watch out for alligators"
II believe that-er-' properly speak
ing, these, are crocodiles.'' -. ..
"You don't say! Heap of difference
1t will make IL one<gets. you!"
Miss Leslie caught Winthrope's eye.
for her through the first thicket.
Beyond that they came to a little
glade which ran through to the river.
When they reached the bank they step.
and bathed their hands in the clear
water. AS Miss Leslie rose Winthrope
bent over and began to drink.
''Oh, Mr.. winthrope!' she exclaimed,
I'm SO afraid ,.
do not alarm yourself. I am per-
fectiy well. and I am quite as COM
yourNah-countryman.; ~ " " "
."Mr. Winthrope, was thinking only
winthrope took another deep draft.
r:nsed HIS fingers fastidiousiy. and
"My dear Miss Geneyieve." he OBJ
served, "a woman looks at these mat
But you should know that there are
some some things gentleman cannot stand
"You are welcome to all the water
could have waited, IL only to please
me-" ....., .....'
"Ah! if you put it that way, I must
beg pardon; Anything to please you,
get the incident 1t Is now past
II hope So" she murmured. But her
heart sank as she gazed at HIS sallow
face and realized his languid, feeble
Piqued by her look. winthrope start
ed back through the glade. Miss Les
s esuEh sRs tRssRnS G to fSSw whs e
blossom under the nearest tree. II
was the first flower she had seen since
leaving the steamer. With a little cry
OF delight she ran to pluck II.
winthrope. ,glancing about at her
exclamation, Saw her stoop over the
blossom, and IN the same instant he
saw a huge. vivid coil. all black ant
bedded leaves and strike against the
She staggered back. screaming will
horror, yet seemed unable to run
winthrope swung up his cane and
dashed across the glade toward her.
What Is it-a snake?" he cried.
The girl did not seem to hear him
She had ceased screaming, and stood
rigid with fright, glaring down a,
the ground before her. In a moment
Winthrope was near, enough to make
extended full length in the grass. i
was nearly. five feet long apd thicl
as his thigh.
Another step and he saw the hide
inches on the thick neck. The COLI
eyes were fxed upon the girl in ;
nialignapt deadly, glare. a.. =,
thrust his cane at the reptiles tail.
Again came flashing leap of tn
beautiful. ornate snake, and the can
was struck from Winthrope's hand. II
danced backward. wild with excite
Snake. HI, Blake! Monster! Rur
miss! TIL hold him-I'H get ,anothe
He darted aside to catch up a branch
and then ran in and struck boldly a
the adder, which reared up, kissing. t
meet him. But the blow fell shor
and the rotten wood shattered on tn
Again winthrope ran aside for sticl
paused to glance about. Blake cam
sprinting down the glade. .....
There! Hi, look out! You'll be o
Blake stopped short, barely beyon
striking distance Of the kissing reptil
''Wow!" he yelled. .'Puff-added I
hx him."
He leaped back and thrust his bow ,
the snake. The challenge was met
vicious lunge. Even from where /
stood Winthrope heard the thud of IL
reptiles head upon the ground.
Now, once more. tootsie!' mocke
Blake. swinging up his club.
Again. the adder struck at the boy
tip, more viciously, than before. Wit
the fash. of the stroke, Blake's rigl
foot thrust forward, and his club can
down with all the drive of his sinew
arm behind 1t. The blow fell aero
the thickest part OF tht adder's ou
stretched body.
Told you so. See him wiggle!" shou
ed Blake. Broke his back first lie
What's the matter, Miss Jennie?
can't do anything now"
"I-I think the snake struck her
gasped Winthrope. suddenly overcor
with horror.
"God" cried Blake.
He dropped his club and rush
around to the girl. In Q moment he h
knelt before her and flung up her lee
ard skin, skirt. Her. stockings ripped
shreds in his frantic grasp. There.
little below her right knee, was a Il