Dead Man's Land Part 55

"No, sir. Did you see it?"

"See it? See what?"

"Dunno, sir. Thought perhaps you gents up there might have ketched sight of it. Summat alive."

"Eh? What's that?" cried the doctor sharply, from where he was poring over the rubbish which the keepers had last deposited on the heap; and he hurried to the edge of the hole. "What have you found?"

"Nowt, sir," replied the little sailor. "I was just sc.r.a.ping up the crumbs where there's all the rough stones yonder as I have been leaving so as not to loosen the foundations, when something scuttled along there. Gi' me quite a turn;" and as he spoke there was a sharp _click, click_, from where Sir James sat sentry on the top of the wall.

"Humph!" said the doctor. "Mouse or rat."

"Mouse or rat, sir?" said Dan sharply. "What, are there them sort of jockeys here?"

"Yes, and all the world round, my lad."

"Fancy that!" cried the sailor, jumping down into the hole again.

"Scar'd me like a great gal, Mr Mark, sir;" and evidently ashamed of having been startled, he bent down to pick up the fallen tool, dislodging as he did so some of the loose rubbish, and bounding backwards to raise the spade and hold it ready to strike as with an axe; for just at the foot of the ancient wall the rustling sound began again, and stopped, leaving Dan in the att.i.tude of striking and the rest of the party leaning over with searching eyes in full expectation of seeing some little animal spring out.

"What do you make of that, sir?" said the sailor.

"Humph! Don't know. Stand back, all of you," cried Sir James, as he rose erect from his seat on the top of the wall. "You stop, Dan; the rest leave me a clear course for firing."

"Wait a minute, father," cried Mark excitedly. "Let me get my piece and change the cartridges."

"No, no," said Sir James; "one's enough, and I've got a barrel loaded with small shot. I suppose you would like to see what the specimen is, doctor."

"Certainly," was the reply. "I can make a shrewd guess, though."

"So can I, sir," said the sailor; "and I can't abide them things."

"Now then," said Sir James, as he stood ready. "I won't hit you, Dan.

Reach out with your spade, stir up those loose stones again, and spring back quickly."

"I just will, sir!" said the man to himself, and leaning forward he thrust the spade amongst the loose rubbish; and hopped back with wonderful agility.

It was a most effectual thrust, and beyond the noise made by the steel blade of the tool and the rattle of the stones there was a sharp rustling of something disturbed in its lair, and a loud vindictive hiss.

"Oh, scissors!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the sailor, and swinging up the spade again he held it ready to give a chop; but it was not delivered, for Sir James shouted to him to step out of the hole, lowered himself down from the wall, and joined the others on the edge.

"A snake, and a pretty big one too, I expect," said the doctor.

"Python, most likely."

"Pison?" said Dan.

"Python, my lad, not pison," said the doctor. "That cla.s.s of serpent is harmless. Don't miss it, Sir James, and don't shatter its head if you can help it."

"If I shoot it," said Sir James, "I will not answer for where I shall hit. If you want it as a specimen, take the gun."

"Do you mean it, Sir James?"

"Certainly. Catch hold."

"Oh, I say, doctor, let me shoot!" cried Mark excitedly.

"No, no, my boy; don't interfere," said his father. "No, doctor, don't give up to him," for the latter was drawing back. "Now, all of you,"

cried Sir James, setting the example, "pick up a stone each, and we will throw till we drive the reptile out."

His orders were obeyed, and for the next five minutes as the doctor stood ready to fire, stone after stone, big and little, were hurled at the foot of the wall, but with no further effect than producing a slight rustling sound, as if the creature had plenty of room in the hollow which formed its lair.

"I think I can do it, Sir James," said Buck.

"How, my lad?"

"I will get up on the wall, sir, and drop one of them big stones right down over him."

"Good! Do."

"Wish I had thought of that," said Dean. "I should just like that job."

"Never mind; let Buck try. Send down a big one!" cried Mark.

"I just will, sir," said the man, and climbing quickly up to the top of the wall he edged his way along the stones till he found what he considered a suitable block, loosened it, but not without considerable effort, for it was hard to move, and then turned it over and over till he forced it to the edge of the crumbling wall.

"That about right, sir?" he cried.

"No; two feet farther along. That's right! Now then, all ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Give it a gentle push then, when you get the word from me. I want it to fall close in there."

"Right, sir."

There was a moment's silence in the midst of an excitement which was great for so trifling an incident, and then Sir James said sharply, "Heave!"

Down came the stone, and it seemed to the boys as if it occupied seconds of time to pa.s.s through the air, and crash down upon the loose rubbish below. A little dust arose, but not sufficient to hide the occupant of the ruined foundations. Then silence again, and the two boys uttered a jeering laugh.

"Out crept a mouse," said the doctor good-humouredly; "but where is it?"

"He's in there, sir," said Dan, "for I just ketched sight of him. But I'm sure he warn't a mouse."

"Shall I throw down another stone, sir?" cried Buck, from the top of the wall.

"'Tain't no good, mate," shouted Dan. "Let me go and stir him out, sir, with the shovel. He's down some hole, with his tail hanging out. Mebbe I can give him a chop and make him wriggle out back'ards so as to give you plenty of time to shoot."

"Would you mind doing it, my lad?" said the doctor.

"Not me, sir, now I knows what it is. You meant it warn't a stinger, sir, didn't you?"