“Die, d——­ you—­die,” yelled the man, cutting with his knife at various parts of the snake’s body.

I saw the hot blood spirt from the wounds, and cover the floor, and I saw that the snake’s eyes grew more brilliant than ever, and that he was gradually bringing his head on a level with the face of his antagonist, as though to bite and disfigure his countenance.

Again the keen knife descended, and this time struck deep, for the wounded animal, with a convulsive spring, overturned the ruffian, and together they rolled upon the floor.

I could hear the hard breathing of the man, and I could tell every time that his knife struck home, by a peculiar hiss that escaped the snake.  It was like the sudden escape of steam.

“We must now lend some assistance to the poor wretch,” said Fred, suddenly starting to his feet, knife in hand.  “Do you hold the light, so that I can see where to strike.”

“Help me or I die,” yelled the ruffian, whose strength began to fail; and he called none too soon, for in spite of his desperate efforts with his knife, the monster had struck one blow, with his fangs, upon his face, and was about to repeat it, as we drew near, light in hand.

The snake raised its head, and shook it menacingly, us we approached.  The huge mouth opened, and the quivering tongue darted back and forth, as though warning us not to interfere with what did not concern us; but in spite of its threatening attitude, Fred directed a blow at its head, and the keen steel made a large wound near the reptile’s neck.

The hot blood gushed from the wound in torrents; a few drops fell upon my hand, and burned the flesh as though seared with a heated iron.

I saw that the folds of the serpent were gradually relaxing, as though tired of the unequal contest, and the sight gave us renewed courage.  Again and again did Fred flesh his steel, and each blow that was struck told upon the life of the monster, and at last, with a convulsive shudder, the tail was uncoiled, straightened out, and with a long-drawn sigh the snake expired.

We did not delay a moment, but went to the assistance of the wounded man.  He was covered with blood and slime, and a frightful wound was upon his face, where the fangs of the reptile had struck.  He was breathing, but very faintly; so we lost not a moment in placing to his mouth a cup of wine that we fortunately had saved from our supply obtained at Melbourne.  The liquor seemed to revive him, for he opened his eyes, and made a desperate effort to speak.

“How fares it with you?” asked Fred.

“The d——­d snake has made a finish of me, I believe,” he gasped, placing one hand upon his side, as though the effort to speak had caused excruciating pain in that region of his body.  “Blast his pictur, how he hugged me!”

“Take another drink of wine,” returned Fred, “and then rest until morning, and we will see what can be done for you.”