roots were visible above the ground, the
object being, in fact, a monstrous knot of hundreds of snakes twined
together as if they were all engaged in the attempt to get their heads
into the centre of the tangled mass which, all in motion, heaved and
sank and rolled from side to side, the lower portions of the serpents'
bodies and their tails being free to lash and writhe about in the air,
while at a second glance the spectators began to realise the fact that
all around, gliding in and out amongst the stones, were hundreds upon
hundreds more of the reptiles, apparently urged on by some savage
instinct to form other knots, till the whole of the hollow in front
seemed to be alive with the loathsome creatures.

"Did you ever see anything like this before, Griggs?" said the doctor,
who was the first to speak.

"Never, sir; but an old gold prospector once told me that he had seen
just such a sight, only I put it down to being a yarn told to cram me."

"But they're not poisonous--not rattlesnakes, surely?" said Bourne.

"They surely are," cried Wilton. "Hark! Can't you hear? It's like a
dull thrilling sound. Here, I don't want to be the first to run, but I
can't stand this; I'm off."

"We'd better all be off," cried the doctor. "Here, Griggs, head round
your bell-mule and let's get away. You seem to have led us right into
the empire of snakes. Quick, look alive, or the poor brutes will be
right amongst the reptiles."

"Not they, sir; they smell 'em now. Come and help, or we shall have a
stampede."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

CHRIS HAS A FIT.

Every one made a dash to avert the disaster on hearing their leader's
words, but the stampede had already begun. Disaster of a serious kind
was about to fall upon the little expedition, and but for the energy of
Griggs and Chris matters would have been worse than they were.

For panic had seized upon two or three of the mules, which took alarm
from the startled mustangs, and directly after they would all have been
in headlong flight, kicking wildly as they tore away, when the same
thought came to two of the party who had the energy and nerve to put it
into action.

The idea was that even then, frightened as they were, the mules would
obey their old habit, so driving their heels into their snorting
mustangs' sides, Griggs and Chris raced after Skeeter as he was tearing
along at full speed, shaking his load loose, and making his bell jangle
loudly as he squealed and gallope