There was no such thing as turning aside that fearful attack. Like an avalanche the snake struck the wagon. Had not the wheels been braced against a heap of stones, it would surely have been swept over upon its side. But, by the best of good fortune it resisted the shock. Like a flash the snake’s coils went twining about the wagon. They began to draw powerfully, and the metal work began to groan and crack. ‪“Quick, boys!” shouted Frank Reade, Jr., ‪“Cut the folds in two wherever you can.” But Barney and Pomp needed no bidding. They already had their knives unsheathed, and where the snake’s body was exposed at the loopholes began to slash and cut. Frank with his rifle tried to get a shot at the reptile’s head. If he could only blow it off with one of the shells, the battle would be ended. But the monster did not give him this opportunity. Something desperate needed to be done. The metal work of the wagon threatened to give way. Frank saw this and at once with his accustomed hardihood accepted a desperate chance. Throwing open the door of the wagon, he sprang out. The reptile’s head was above the wagon, and Frank instantly fired at it. He was a dead shot and, undoubtedly, would have hit it, had it not been for the snake’s gyratory motion. The reptile’s attention was instantly attracted toward Frank. Singularly enough, its folds relaxed and it slid away from the wagon and started for the young inventor. The snake was between Frank and the cage door. He knew that if those deadly folds were to close about him, there would be little likelihood of ever escaping alive. The snake had acted with the rapidity of thought. Frank had not even time to thrust another cartridge into the breech of his gun. He started to run. For a few paces he made good time, but what is there on earth to equal the speed of an active python. Swift as the wind the monster was upon him. Frank felt its hot breath, and saw for a moment its glistening jaws open over him. Instinctively he threw up one hand, and by chance his fingers clutched the monster’s throat. Frank hung to this hold with a death-like grip. He felt the mighty coils closing about him, and then with the desperation of one facing certain death he clutched the hilt of his knife with his free hand. With all his strength he slashed at the monster’s throat. The first blow half severed the head from the body. A huge jet of black blood spurted into Frank’s face and nigh choked him. But though half suffocated he made another blow. The snake’s folds began to loosen, and the monster writhed and tried to free itself. Frank instantly realized that he had won the victory and fought more coolly now. Once more he made a blow at the snake’s neck. This time it severed the head from the body completely. The body of the snake went twisting and writhing a hundred yards across the plain, while Frank fell half fainting to the ground. Barney and Pomp were quickly by his side and the Celtic cried: