If a circle $C$, whose radius is 3 , touches externally the circle $x ^ { 2 } + y ^ { 2 } + 2 x - 4 y - 4 = 0$ at the point $( 2,2 )$, then the length of the intercept cut by this circle $C$ on the $x$-axis is equal to\\
(1) $2 \sqrt { 3 }$\\
(2) $\sqrt { 5 }$\\
(3) $3 \sqrt { 2 }$\\
(4) $2 \sqrt { 5 }$