Scrambling up in a second they rushed to the edge of the hole
revealed by the uplifting of the wooden cover. What they saw showed
them instantly that their wildest hopes had not been overdrawn.
There, at their feet, lay a king's ransom in yellow ivory.
From the hole rose a fetid, sickening odor that at first was almost
overpowering. It came from the rotting flesh that still adhered to
the roots of many of the huge trunks.
With a cheer Harry was about to spring down into the aperture when
Frank, with a quick exclamation, drew him back.
"Jump back for your life!" he shouted.
Harry was accustomed to obeying his brother in everything, and jump
backward he did with an agility that would have done credit to a
gymnast. Before he could ask a question Frank's revolver cracked
and a little spit of dust shot up almost at his very feet.
There lay a tiny snake viciously wiggling about in its death agony,
pierced through by Frank's bullet.
It was a rock adder--one of the deadliest of African snakes. Barely
more than three inches in length, and a dull gray in color, it was
small wonder that Harry in his excitement had not seen it as he was
about to jump almost upon it.
"We shall have to be careful," said Frank, as he kicked aside the
still writhing body of the disgusting looking reptile.
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