The Argosy — page 147: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 339 The serpent’s contortions were now frightful to see, as he squirmed and twisted to tear loose from the weapon. ‘‘ Now let him have it,’’ cried Guy ; and in an instant the remaining spears, half a dozen in number, were driven deeply into the venomous coils. The struggle was now at its crisis. With axes in hand they were dodg- ing about the writhing monster, seeking a chance to reach the head, when an awful shriek echoed through the cavern, apparently from some distance out on the lake, and then the Greek’s voice was raised in a loud and urgent appeal for help. What new disaster threatened ? CHAPTER XXIX.—Guy Saves Sir ARTHUR. THIS new alarm, coming just at the uncertain period of their struggle, was quite enough to strike despair to the hearts of all. ‘That was Sir Arthur’s voice we heard first,’’ exclaimed Forbes. ‘‘ And it is Canaris who is shouting for help. What are we going to do about it?”’ ‘Tell him to hold out for a moment,”’ cried Guy. ‘I'll wind up this affair pretty quick.’’ Raising the axe, he made a sudden dart forward and buried the blade deep in the serpent’s head. It was a clever stroke and so forcible that the axe was jerked from his hand. , The colonel dragged him hastily back, but the danger was over. ‘The monster was threshing the blood stained sand in his death agonies, powerless to do further harm. Canaris was still calling for help, and, leaving their dying antagonist, the others plunged across the island. ‘The Greek was running up and down the strip of sand, and far out on the lake the canoe was visible in the radius of light, with Sir Arthur standing erect in the bow. ‘He won’t take the paddle!’’ exclaimed Canaris. ‘‘He says there is something splashing in the lake beyond him. He’s a dead man if he doesn’t get back to the island.”’ ‘Sir Arthur,’’ shouted the colonel, ‘‘ come back ; paddle for your life. Do you hear me?’’ The only response was a cry of fright. Sir Arthur was plainly too dazed to be capable of action. He had just wakened, and the horror of his situation was too much for him. " Save me! save me!’’ he cried. ‘‘ The serpent is coming ; I can hear it splashing the water.”’ : ‘Take the paddle,’’? shouted Guy, ‘‘and steer for the island. If you don’t you are lost.’’ This seemed to arouse the imperiled man to action. He snatched up a paddle, and, dropping to his knees, drove the canoe forward with frantic strokes. His companions encouraged him with cheering words as he came nearer, The island was barely twenty yards distant when the paddle slipped from his grasp. He turned round, apparently to pick up another, and then threw himself with a dismal cry to the bottom of the canoe. CoOmmicoookxs (S@)