5 o THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



t 



startled gaze what was occurring, at a safe but short 

 distance to windward. 



Again the encounter was renewed, but in this 

 second round the result seemed equally doubtful. 



Then the secretary bird withdrew from it : after 

 a rather lengthened pause, it uttered a prolonged harsh 

 note, not unlike the cry of a sheep in pain. I 

 supposed this was the result of its being wounded ; 

 not so, for in a minute afterwards it was joined by 

 a comrade, and the engagement was without delay re- 

 sumed. The snake now began to have "a bad time /" 

 for, in spite of his activity and pluck, he was unable 

 to face both ways, so got frequent blows from 

 the strong armed wings of his assailants, one of 

 which for an instant seemed to stupefy him. 



This was the chance doubtlessly sought for. 

 Instantaneously both birds seized the reptile, one near 

 the neck, the other much farther back, and, as quick 

 as thought, commenced bearing the wriggling, 

 struggling body aloft. Up, up, they ascended, till 

 an elevation of nearly a hundred yards was gained, 

 when simultaneously they dropped their victim, and 

 with closed wings descended to the earth with such 

 velocity as to reach it as rapidly as their prey. 



