But by great good luck the bullet struck the monster’s lower jaw. It was instantly broken and hung limply. The snake gave almost a shriek of agony, and its folds partly relaxed. Instantly Frank sprang forward and made a blow at the reptile with his knife. It was a lucky blow, and cut a deep gash in the monster’s body, half severing it to the backbone. Barney also rushed upon the snake. The monster made a game fight, however. Its mighty coils relaxed, and it dropped Pomp from them and began to thrash about in fury. Frank and Tony Buckden were knocked down like puppets. The snake’s huge body literally filled the huge chamber, and thrashing about so furiously kept our explorers one moment upon their feet and the next upon the floor. Hacking at the reptile with his knife, Frank had inflicted many wounds. Blood flowed in torrents, and the reptile was evidently weakening. Barney at an opportune moment raised his clubbed rifle and made a blow at the snake’s head. It was a lucky stroke. The reptile was almost instantly brained, and the battle was over. CHAPTER IX. INTO THE DEPTHS. The battle was won, but what of Pomp? The darky lay in an inanimate heap upon the stone floor. Frank was quickly by his side, however. His first move was to feel the darky’s pulse. With a cry of joy he reached for a whisky flask which Buckden produced. ‪“He is alive!” he cried. ‪“It is about certain that we shall save him.” This, however, could not yet be determined. The darky had suffered quite a severe squeezing, and there was no certainty that bones had not been broken. Frank applied the whisky to Pomp’s lips. Then the others rubbed his hands and feet vigorously. In a few moments Pomp gasped and opened his eyes. ‪“Glory for goodness, Marse Frank,” he whispered, hoarsely, ‪“am dis chile been sabed? I done fought I was a gone coon.” “You’re all right, Pomp!” cried Frank, joyfully. “You’re sure you can move without pain, are you? Try and roll over.” Pomp did as he was bid. To the joy of all it was discovered that although the darky had experienced quite a severe squeezing he was practically uninjured. In a few moments he was able to get upon his feet. He was a trifle stiff and sore, but this bid fair to desert him in a short while. Then it was seen that the anaconda was a monster. Indeed its huge coils seemed to occupy the larger part of the chamber. All had good reason to congratulate themselves upon their escape from what might have been death for Pomp at least. But now that the affair was over there was no use in further waste of time in the vicinity. It was necessary at once to continue their quest for the Steam Man. Accordingly they started to descend the stairs. But the incidents of the moment were by no means spent. A strange and startling thing occurred. No sooner had Barney put his foot upon the topmost stairs than the whole affair crumbled and fell.