"Keep back!" called Jerry as the snake's folds suddenly flew out; but its
head was almost blown from its body, and there was no more danger to
be feared.

"I'll get the rattle, to remind you of your narrow squeak, Will," said
Jerry.

"That's kind of you, now; but I rather think you are getting it to remind
you of your first shot at game with the new rifle," remarked Will.

The others had by now come up to stare at the enormously thick snake,
with more or less of a shudder.

"How about having that skin, to make a belt or something?" suggested
Bluff.

"You're welcome to it, if you can take it off and properly dry if; but
you're so squeamish about snakes I'd hardly think you'd care for the
job," remarked Jerry.

"I'll see. I heard Nellie say she always wanted a belt made out of a skin
like that, and perhaps I may try to get it," concluded Bluff.

"Are we going to proceed, or put in a day around here, fellows?" asked
Frank.

"I say stay. We may not get another chance at a swamp before we reach the
open gulf, and I want to snap a dozen fine views off around here. I mean
to take the little dinghy and push into the swamp a bit," ventured Will.