THE SNAKE-TREE
They managed to make a good meal of the food supplies they had brought
along, and as a dessert Washington made some peach short-cake from the
slices of the giant fruit they had found the day before. Just as they
finished supper it got very dark, but, in about an hour, the moonbeams,
as the travelers called them, came up, and illuminated the lake with a
weird light.
As the machinery of the _Mermaid_ was now in working order there was no
further alarm because of the darkness. The ship rested on a level keel
about a hundred yards back from the lake, and, seeing that all was snug,
and the fastenings secure, the travelers went to bed.
Though they had to forego fish for breakfast the travelers made a good
meal. After seeing that the ship was in readiness for a quick start, the
professor suggested they take a walk around and see what sort of country
they might be in now.
They tramped on for several miles, meeting with no adventures, and
seeing nothing out of the ordinary. It was a pleasant day, just warm
enough to be comfortable, and a little wind was blowing through the
trees.
"It would be almost like home if it wasn't for the strange lights, and
the memory of the queer things here," said Jack. "I feel fine. Let's see
if you can hit that dead tree over there, Mark."
Jack stooped to grab up a stone, but no sooner had his fingers touched
it than he called out:
"There! I forgot all about the stones here being heavier than lead.
Guess we can't throw any of 'em. But come on. I'll race you to the dead
tree!"
Mark was willing, so the two boys set off at a fast pace.
"Look out where you're going!" the professor called after them. "No
telling what may be in those woods," for the boys were approaching a
little glade, on the edge of which the dead tree stood.
Jack reached the goal first, and stood leaning against the trunk,
waiting for Mark.
"You'd better practice sprinting!" exclaimed the victor.
Mark was about to excuse himself for his poor showing, on the plea of
having eaten too much breakfast, when to his horror he saw what seemed
to be a long thin snake spring out from the branches of a near-by tree
and twine itself about Jack.
"Help me! Save me!" cried the unfortunate boy, as he was lifted high
into the air and pulled within the shadow of the wood.
For an instant Mark was too horror-stricken to move. Then with a shout
that alarmed the others, who were coming along more slowly, he made a
dash for the place he had last seen Jack.
Had old Andy not been on the watch, with those keen eyes of his, there
might have been a double tragedy. He had seen from afar the sudden
snatching up of Jack, and noted Mark's rush to save his chum.
"Stand still! Don't go in there for your life!" yelled the hunter, at
the same time running forward with gun ready.
His example was followed by the professor, Washington and the other two
men.
"A snake has Jack!" called Mark, when Andy was at his side.
"No! It's not a snake!" replied the hunter. "It's worse. It's the
snake-tree!"
"What's that?" asked Mr. Henderson, hurrying up.
"The snake-tree has Jack," the hunter went on. "It is a plant, half
animal, half-vegetable. It has long branches, not unlike a snake in
shape. They can move about and grab things."
"One of them got a grip on Jack as he leaned against the dead tree
trunk. I just caught a glimpse of it, and called to prevent Mark from
running into danger."
"Can't we save him?" asked Mr. Henderson.
"I'm going to try!" replied Andy. "Quick! Gather up some pieces of dry
wood. I have some paper, and my pipe lighter. We must fight the
snake-tree with fire!"