Damon! Get a gun, Ned, and follow me! We must save him before he
is crushed to death!"
And the two lads rushed forward while the living rope drew its folds
tighter and tighter about the unfortunate man.
CHAPTER XII
A NATIVE BATTLE
"Bless my--!" but that was as far as poor Mr. Damon could get. The
breath was fairly squeezed out of him by the folds of the great
serpent that had dropped down out of the tree to crush him to death.
His head fell forward on his breast, and his arms were pinioned to
his sides.
"Quick, Ned!" cried Tom. "We must fire together! Be careful not to
hit Mr. Damon!"
"That's right. I'll take the snake on one side, Tom, and you on the
other!"
"No! Then we might hit each other. Come on my side. Aim for the
head, and throw in the highest charge. We want to kill, not stun!"
"Right!" gasped Ned, as he ran forward at his chum's side.
San Pedro, and the other natives, could do nothing. In the gathering
twilight, broken by the light of several campfires, they stood
helpless watching the two plucky youths advance to do battle with
the serpent. Eradicate had caught up a club, and had dashed forward
to do what he could, but Tom motioned him back.
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