CHAPTER IXTHE FATAL THRUST
“Why didn’t he take his rifle?” whispered Patsy to Chick.
“Because a bullet would be of no use against that heavy shell,” replied Chick. “The only way to kill that animal would be to aim under it, and that could hardly be done while it is jumping around. You may be sure the chief believes a spear is the most handy tool for what he has to do, or he would not have taken Jai Singh’s from him.”
“My spear will do it, if anything can,” came in a gruff undertone from Jai Singh.
Chick had hit on the exact truth. Nick Carter had studied the strength of the glittering shell of the monster during the three previous contests—especially the third one, which was more nearly a fight than either of the others.
He had seen that heavy stones, thrown with great force, had not
