deeper. I was soon stuck above my knees! I screamed and screamed. But nobody came!”
At that, Jack knelt and patted Fangs fondly. “At last, who should appear but myfaithful jackal, Fangs. I cut down all the swamp reeds I could reach. Then I leaned on them and kicked until I got my legs free. Fangs ran back and forth, barking. Finally, I caught hold of his tail and he dragged me to firm ground.”
“A fortunate escape, my boy!” I cried. “Fangs is a hero!”
With Jack safe once more, we returned to our work. Now that the cave was almost finished, we built an aqueduct to supply it with freshwater. We made it with pipes of hollow bamboo. My wife said she was as pleased as if we had made her a marble fountain.
The rainy season was again near. So we collected stores of roots, fruits, grains, potatoes, rice, guavas, acorns, and pine cones.
Heavy clouds gathered. We moved the animals and ourselves to the salt cave.
We still had much to do to make the cave even more comfortable. With Jack’s help, I made a chandelier out of a ship’s lantern to light the cave.
Ernest and Franz made shelves for a library. They placed on them the books we’d saved from the wreck.
We built tables and benches. I added a wide porch along the front of the cave.
We amused ourselves by opening chests from the ship we hadn’t looked into yet. We found all sorts of treasures—mirrors, a musical box, elegant writing tables, and clocks. Our cave soon looked like a palace!
Finally, the thunder quieted and the rainy season ended. I was seated with my wife and Fritz beneath the shade of the veranda one day when Fritz jumped up.
“I see something strange in the distanceFather! It’s coming toward the bridge!”
My wife and the boys retreated into the cave. They closed up all the entrances, then kept watch, with guns at the windows.
Fritz and I stayed outside, looking at the creature through my spyglass.
“It is a giant serpent!” I cried at last.
The monster reptile advanced with writhing movements. From time to time, it reared its head to the great height of fifteen or twenty feet!
As it crossed the bridge, we withdrew into the cave. We barricaded everything at the door and waited with beating hearts. When the serpent reached the front of the cave, the boys and my wife began firing. These shots startled the monster. He turned and disappeared into the reedy marsh.
I asked that no one leave the cave while the serpent was nearby. And in truth, no one had any desire to do so.
For three days we were kept in suspense and fear. By the third day, we were running out of hay for the animals. I decided to send Fritz with them across the river to find food. We were getting ready to do this when old Grizzle, the donkey, broke free. He galloped straight for the marsh! With horror, we saw the serpent rear up from its lair. Its deadly jaws opened wide. Grizzle was doomed.
Swift and straight, the serpent was upon him. He wound round him, then swallowed the poor donkey whole. When the serpent was finished, he lay quiet. Now was the moment for attack!
The boys and I crept forward with our guns. We fired together. A quiver ran through the mighty frame. And the serpent lay dead.
W e had faced our greatest danger yet. But I was worried that another serpent might appear.
I suggested a trip to search the area where the serpent had come from. The whole family decided to join me.
We packed the tent and our supplies in the cart. We harnessed it to Storm and Grumble and started off.
After a time, we reached a place near thesugarcanes where we had once built an arbor. We spread the sailcloth over it to make a tent.
The three older boys and I, and all the dogs except Juno, set off to explore. My brave wife remained in camp with Franz. As we went, we found that the shrubs had been broken down. The serpent had clearly been through.
We decided to build strong defenses there to stop future invaders. Then we continued on. We crossed a stream and soon found