The boys walked back, but not for far. As they placed their feet on one of the rocks that joined the headland to the island proper they heard a vigorous hissing, and not one but three snakes of good size showed themselves. The cadets were so startled that both let out a yell and tried to retreat. Their cries reached the others in the party, and all turned back. “Oh, a snake! a snake!” screamed Flossie, as she caught sight of one of the reptiles. “Oh, what shall we do?” “I see two of them!” said Laura, and gave a shudder. “Oh, dear me! And they are right between us and the island! However are we to get back to the picnic grounds?” All of the young folks kept at a distance. Two of the snakes were still in sight, the third had disappeared. “Maybe we had better stone ’em,” said Andy. “That’s what I’d do if I was alone.” “If you do that they may come for us,” answered Flossie, almost tearfully. “If we only had sticks!” sighed Dale, but there were no sticks or bushes on the headland, only grass and rocks. The cadets talked the situation over and then, leaving the girls at the extreme end of the headland, the lads picked up a number of jagged stones and advanced with caution to where the snakes had been seen. Two were still in view and they aimed at these and hit each. “That’s the way to do it!” cried Andy, as the snakes dropped back in a hollow and commenced to squirm around. “Give ’em some more stones!” The stones were forthcoming and one that was well-aimed took the larger of the two snakes in the head, killing it. But the other continued to whip around, and presently came out on the rocks and in the direction of the cadets. “He’s coming this way!” “Hit him with another stone!” Jack was trying to get another stone when the snake made a sudden move and twined around the young major’s ankle. Jack took his free foot and tried to kick it off, but in vain. It was now that Dale showed his nerve. Like a flash he pulled out his jackknife and opened the blade. Then he bent down and slashed away quickly at the snake, ripping open the reptile’s back. Then he struck the snake in the head. “That’s it—give it to him!” gasped Jack, and Dale continued to use his knife. The girls screamed loudly and wrung their hands. Then the snake, cut in two, dropped down on the rocks. Andy kicked the severed parts into the water and they sank from sight. Pepper kicked the other snake into the water also. “Oh, dear, this is terrible!” moaned Flossie. “I wish we were back to papa and mamma,” sighed Laura. Both girls looked as if they were ready to faint. “Don’t get scared,” said Pepper. “They are both dead.” “But there may be others,” said Flossie. She turned to Jack. “Did the snake bite you?” “No, he didn’t get a chance, thanks to Dale,” answered the young major, with a grateful glance at his chum. “Shall we try to go back?” asked Laura. “Wait until we make sure that the way is clear,” said Pepper, who had not forgotten about the third snake.