He made his way clumsily down the rocky side from the hill, falling heavily from half the height and bruising himself badly, but paying no attention to his injuries in the anxiety of the moment.

He found the big flat stone after a minute's search, and succeeded in turning it only after exerting his great strength to the utmost.

There was nothing underneath.

Yes, there was something; a snake hissed at him in the darkness and slid away amongst the broken rock.

Rogers fell upon his knees and groped about blindly, but the ground was hard.