"I just will, sir," said the man, and climbing quickly up to the top of the wall he edged his way along the stones till he found what he considered a suitable block, loosened it, but not without considerable effort, for it was hard to move, and then turned it over and over till he forced it to the edge of the crumbling wall. "That about right, sir?" he cried. "No; two feet farther along. That's right! Now then, all ready?" "Yes, sir." "Give it a gentle push then, when you get the word from me. I want it to fall close in there." "Right, sir." There was a moment's silence in the midst of an excitement which was great for so trifling an incident, and then Sir James said sharply, "Heave!" Down came the stone, and it seemed to the boys as if it occupied seconds of time to pass through the air, and crash down upon the loose rubbish below. A little dust arose, but not sufficient to hide the occupant of the ruined foundations. Then silence again, and the two boys uttered a jeering laugh. "Out crept a mouse," said the doctor good-humouredly; "but where is it?" "He's in there, sir," said Dan, "for I just ketched sight of him. But I'm sure he warn't a mouse." "Shall I throw down another stone, sir?" cried Buck, from the top of the wall. "'Tain't no good, mate," shouted Dan. "Let me go and stir him out, sir, with the shovel. He's down some hole, with his tail hanging out. Mebbe I can give him a chop and make him wriggle out back'ards so as to give you plenty of time to shoot." "Would you mind doing it, my lad?" said the doctor. "Not me, sir, now I knows what it is. You meant it warn't a stinger, sir, didn't you?" "It's only guess work, my lad, but it's evidently a large serpent, and those with poisonous fangs are mostly small." "Take care, Dan," cried Mark, as the sailor prepared to jump down again into the hole. "I just will, sir!" "Yes, but mind this," said the doctor. "Stir up the stones, and if you see it, give it just a touch or two with the edge of the spade. I don't want it injured." "All right, sir," said the man; and spade in hand he approached the foot of the wall, cautiously holding the tool at arm's length, all looking on eagerly, while the doctor, armed as he was with the double gun, shared the position with the sailor of the most important figures there. "Ready, sir?" whispered Dan, as he reached forward. "Yes, quite," replied the doctor. "They are small shot, arn't they, sir?" said Dan. "Small shot don't hurt much, do they, Bob?" cried Mark, laughing. "No, sir. I have got one left in my neck now." "Don't you be afraid of my shot," replied the doctor. "I shall not hit you. But take care of yourself if you start the serpent." "Right, sir. Here goes!" cried the sailor; and giving the spade a powerful thrust in amongst the stones, he twisted it about, and then started back, for a large scaly head darted out in his direction. CHAPTER THIRTY. A REPTILEAN FIGHT.