Page 233 - The snake's pass

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BOG-FISHING AND SCHOOLING. " 221 ! ;
instant it grew less weighty as the resistance of the
bog was overcome, and the foul slimy surface fell back
into its place and became tranquil. When we lifted
and pulled the mass on the rock bank, Murdock
rushed forward in a frenzied manner, and shouted
to us:
" Kape back It's mine, I say, all mine
! Hands off ! !
Don't dar even to touch it, or I'll do ye a harrum
Here, clear off ! this is my land ! Go ! " and he
turned on us with the energy of a madman and the
look of a murderer.
I was so overcome with my physical exertions that
I had not a word to say, but simply in utter weari-
ness threw myself upon the ground but Dick, with
;
what voice he could command, said :
" You're a nice grateful fellow to men who have
helped you ! Keep your find to yourself, man alive
we don't want to share. You must know that as well
as I do, unless your luck has driven you mad. Handle
the thing yourself, by all means. Faugh ! how filthy
it is ! " and he too sat down beside me.
It certainly was most filthy. It was a shapeless
irregular mass, but made solid with rust and ooze and
the bog surface through which it had been dragged.
The slime ran from it in a stream but its filth had
;
no deterring power for Murdock, who threw himself
down beside it and actually kissed the nauseous mass
as he murmured :
" At last ! at last me threasure ! All me own !
!