ere was no doubt about it. The little reptile was an adder, sunning
itself in its warm home; and that it was not asleep Tom soon saw, for
the curious tongue was rapidly protruded several times, flickering, as
it were, outside the horny mouth, which seemed to be provided with an
opening in front expressly for the tongue to pass through, while the
jaws remained closed.

"Wish I'd a stick," thought the boy, as the viper now slowly raised its
head; a couple of coils were in motion, and for the moment it seemed
about to glide away, but the head sank again, and once more the little
creature lay perfectly still.

"They're dangerous things, and the bite is very painful," thought Tom;
but he did not stir to get a stick to kill the reptile, for he was
interested in its peculiar form, and the dark, velvety markings along
its body, which glistened in the sun.

And there he stood, peering over into the little opening, in profound
unconsciousness that he was being silently stalked, till, just as he had
made up his mind to go to the nearest fir-tree and cut a stick, in the
hope of finding the adder still there on his return, there was a sharp
snuffling sound.

Tom started round, to find Pete's ill-looking dog close at hand, but
ready to spring away over the bushes as if expecting a blow.

Tom's next glance showed him the disturbed viper, with its head raised,
eyes glittering as if filled with fire, and its body all in motion.
Then it was gone; but another pair of eyes were gazing into his, for
Pete Warboys slowly raised himself from where he had crawled to the
other side of the furze clump.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

"Hulloo!" said Pete, with a sneering grin; "got you then, have I? Who
gave you leave to come and pick them?"

"Hulloo, Pete!" said Tom quietly, ignoring the question, for the
recollection of his thoughts during the past few days came up strongly,
and all that the Vicar, his uncle, and David had said.

"Who are you a hulloo Peteing?" snarled the fellow. "Yer ain't got no
guns now to go shooting at people."

"What nonsense!" said Tom; "that wasn't a gun--it was an explosion."

"Yer needn't tell me; I know," said Pete, edging round slowly to Tom's
side of the bush.

"I don't believe you were half so much hurt as I was," continued Tom.

"Serve yer right. Yer'd no business to shoot at a fellow."

"I didn't," cried Tom. "Don't I tell you it wasn't a gun?"

"Oh, yer can't cheat me. Here! hi! Kerm here, w