"Humph! Don't know. Stand back, all of you," cried Sir James, as he rose erect from his seat on the top of the wall. "You stop, Dan; the rest leave me a clear course for firing." "Wait a minute, father," cried Mark excitedly. "Let me get my piece and change the cartridges." "No, no," said Sir James; "one's enough, and I've got a barrel loaded with small shot. I suppose you would like to see what the specimen is, doctor." "Certainly," was the reply. "I can make a shrewd guess, though." "So can I, sir," said the sailor; "and I can't abide them things." "Now then," said Sir James, as he stood ready. "I won't hit you, Dan. Reach out with your spade, stir up those loose stones again, and spring back quickly." "I just will, sir!" said the man to himself, and leaning forward he thrust the spade amongst the loose rubbish; and hopped back with wonderful agility. It was a most effectual thrust, and beyond the noise made by the steel blade of the tool and the rattle of the stones there was a sharp rustling of something disturbed in its lair, and a loud vindictive hiss. "Oh, scissors!" ejaculated the sailor, and swinging up the spade again he held it ready to give a chop; but it was not delivered, for Sir James shouted to him to step out of the hole, lowered himself down from the wall, and joined the others on the edge. "A snake, and a pretty big one too, I expect," said the doctor. "Python, most likely." "Pison?" said Dan. "Python, my lad, not pison," said the doctor. "That class of serpent is harmless. Don't miss it, Sir James, and don't shatter its head if you can help it." "If I shoot it," said Sir James, "I will not answer for where I shall hit. If you want it as a specimen, take the gun." "Do you mean it, Sir James?" "Certainly. Catch hold." "Oh, I say, doctor, let me shoot!" cried Mark excitedly. "No, no, my boy; don't interfere," said his father. "No, doctor, don't give up to him," for the latter was drawing back. "Now, all of you," cried Sir James, setting the example, "pick up a stone each, and we will throw till we drive the reptile out." His orders were obeyed, and for the next five minutes as the doctor stood ready to fire, stone after stone, big and little, were hurled at the foot of the wall, but with no further effect than producing a slight rustling sound, as if the creature had plenty of room in the hollow which formed its lair. "I think I can do it, Sir James," said Buck. "How, my lad?" "I will get up on the wall, sir, and drop one of them big stones right down over him." "Good! Do." "Wish I had thought of that," said Dean. "I should just like that job." "Never mind; let Buck try. Send down a big one!" cried Mark.