"And stand clear, Hamil, because Shiela must shoot quick if he slides for the water." The men backed their nervously snorting horses, giving her room; Stent dismounted, picked up a pig-nut, and threw it accurately.

Instantly the fat mud-coloured fold slipped over the root and a head appeared rising straight out of the coils up into the air--a flat and rather small head on a horribly swollen body, stump-tailed, disgusting.

The head was looking at them, stretched high, fully a third of the creature in the air.

Then, soundlessly, the wide-slitted mouth opened; and Hamil saw its silky white lining.
"Moccasins stand their ground," said the girl, raising her gun.

The shot crashed out; the snake collapsed.