nt it looked very much as though Sir Arthur
was doomed.

In spite of all the frantic shouts and directions of his friends he
continued to utter piteous appeals for help from the bottom of the
canoe. When at length he _did_ recover enough self-control to take hold
of another paddle, a serpent's head and body were actually in sight,
approaching at a rapid speed.

Not only was Sir Arthur's life now at stake, but, in addition, guns,
canoe, and all would be lost, thus leaving the rest of the party unarmed
on the island, at the mercy of the ravenous serpents who appeared to
swarm in the lake.

One of those sudden impulses common to his nature now flashed into Guy's
mind, and, without giving himself a second for deliberation, he flung
off jacket and shoes, and before anyone could raise a hand to restrain
him, dived headforemost into the lake.

He came to the surface within ten yards of the canoe, which was making
but feeble progress under Sir Arthur's erratic strokes.

Swimming hand over hand, Guy reached the bow and quickly drew himself
over the side, just as the pursuing serpent came within seven or eight
yards of the stern of the canoe.

His original intention to paddle for the island was instantly abandoned.
Bidding Sir Arthur work lustily, he snatched up his rifle and took a
careful aim at the approaching monster, who was snorting and hissing in
a truly frightful manner.

The sharp report came at once, producing a thousand echoes through the
hollow vault of the cavern, and under cover of the drifting smoke, which
for the moment concealed the result of the shot, Guy sprang to Sir
Arthur's aid with another paddle.

Half a dozen of his powerful strokes brought the canoe within a yard of
the shore. A terrific splashing in his rear, as well as the loud shouts
of his friends, warned Guy of the imminence of danger.

Fairly pushing Sir Arthur out of the canoe into the water, waist deep,
he tossed the provisions far out on the island, caught up the guns, and
made a frantic leap. He landed on the edge of the sand, and was
instantly caught by eager arms, and pulled far up the beach. He turned,
to realize with a shudder the narrowness of his escape.

Made furious by the bullet hole which Guy had put in his spotted skin,
the monster threw himself on the abandoned canoe, which they had been
unable to save, and with a sickening crunch it was shivered to a
shapeless mass of fragments, under the pressure of the mighty coils.