She was in some trouble--he knew not what; but as she continued to scream, he believed that something had attacked her.

A snake he thought it might be; but whatever it was, his first impulse was to hurry up to her rescue.

He could do no good until close to her; and, therefore, he did not think of halting until he should reach the spot where she stood.
Her screams, therefore, and the wild gestures that accompanied them, only caused him to run the faster; and as his eyes were bent anxiously on Truey, there was not the slightest hope that he would perceive the serpent until he had either trodden upon it, or felt its fatal bite.
Truey uttered one last cry of warning, pronouncing at the same time the words:-- "O, brother! back! The snake! the snake!" The words were uttered in vain.

Jan heard them, but did not comprehend their meaning.

He heard the word "snake." He was expecting as much; it had attacked Truey; and although he did not see it, it was no doubt wound about her body.