Hardy Boys Mysteries - 056 The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub

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A Mysterious Shot

Biff crouched at the rear of his tent and eyed the big snake apprehensively. His friends formed a semi-circle at the open flap of the canvas, not daring to get too close. The boa constrictor flicked its tongue menacingly-

"What'll we do?" Chet wailed.

"Step aside!" a woman ordered. Rose Renda walked into the tent. She was carrying a large canvas bag, the mouth of which she opened by releasing a draw-string. Just then three Mexican workmen, alerted by Pendleton because of their experience in handling snakes, joined the group.

The jungle guide teased the boa constrictor with a stick until it struck ferociously. As its head hit the ground, Pendleton's hand flashed out and closed on the neck just behind the head.

Two of the other men grabbed the reptile round the body, while the third seized the lashing tail. The four lifted the boa off the ground and dropped it, tail first, into the open canvas bag that Rose was holding. Then they crammed in the sinuous body, and finally Pendleton shoved the head, instantly pulling his hand away. Rose drew the mouth of the bag taut.

"This will make a fine addition to the Mexico City Zoo," she commented.

"The zoo can have it," Biff muttered.

Pendleton told everybody to go back to sleep and stop worrying. "It's almost unheard of for a snake of this size to invade an archaeological dig," he told them.

"This one," said Frank, "must have lost its way."

"Poor, crazy mixed-up snake," Joe said with a grin.

That broke up the tension and all the boys went back to their tents. In the morning, they joined Rose, Pendleton, and Courtney on a trek into the jungle in search of an armadillo. Pendleton wore the rough clothes and floppy hat of an experienced jungle guide. Courtney appeared in spotless white ducks, wearing his pith helmet and carrying his swagger stick.

"Melville, you'd better leave your helmet behind," Pendleton urged.

"It's part of one's dress in hot climates," was the reply. "I wish to dress correctly."

"That's when you're out in the sun. We'll be under the trees and you'll need air. You'll be too hot with a helmet on."

Courtney insisted on wearing his helmet, however, so the guide shrugged and dropped the subject.

The party started their trek into the steaming jungle. Frank and Joe decided to say nothing but to keep their eyes open for a plane flying overhead. They might spot the one they suspected!

Insects stung them and sweat poured down their faces. As Pendleton had predicted, Courtney felt the heat worst of all because of his helmet.

"Ditch it!" the guide advised.

"A Hawkins man never gives up," Courtney replied.

"Have it your way, but we have quite a distance to go before we reach armadillo country."

They slogged forward, taking regular breaks since it was so difficult to advance. Late in the afternoon, the guide suggested, "Let's call it a day." The others willingly agreed. They opened crackers and tinned meat, and ate dinner.

Then Rose gave a talk on armadillos. "They're rarely found together," she stated.

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