178 "ONE TWO THREE 1" 



** I once asked Mr. Reiche the size of the biggest snake he ever had, "said Dick, 

 "and he told me eighteen feet. I judge, from what you have said, that if we 

 find the one you saw this forenoon, we shall look upon a much larger one." 



"You will, indeed; too large for any company of men to think of capturing, 

 though I have felt inclined, more than once, despite my dislike of the reptiles, to 

 secure one. We have no chloroform with us, so we cannot try the experiment you 

 speak of, and, on the whole, I think we'll give that class of curiosities the go-by." 



" I hope so," replied Dick, " for, to my way of thinking, they would form the one 

 disagreeable feature of our menagerie." 



Before reaching the immediate neighborhood of the spot where the constrictor 

 had been seen, all four dismounted. Pongo took the lead, and, remembering the 

 place well, went straight to it, but, to the disappointment of all, the reptile was not 

 in sight. 



" He can't be far off," said Mr. Godkin, following the native among the trees, 

 "and we shall soon find him." 



Despite the director's warnings, the Bushman walked so fast that he drew away 

 from them. Mr. Godkin was on the point of ordering him to return, when a low 

 whistle was heard, and Pongo came back with ch a flurried appearance that all 

 knew he had located the constrictor. 



"Me find him," said he; "big fellow eat horse eat ox eat us I" 



" I hope he won't undertake all that," said Bob, with a laugh, glancing at his rifle. 



"Since you have found him," said Mr. Godkin, "you may lead the way, Pongo." 



This suited the native, who willingly assumed the duty of guide. 



Only a short distance had been passed, in a guarded fashion, the three following 

 close at the fellow's heels, when he paused and pointed up among the branches of 

 one of the trees. Following, with their eyes, the direction, our friends looked 

 upon an amazing sight. 



The most enormous boa-constrictor on which they had ever gazed was coiled 

 around the trunk, at a height of less than thirty feet from the ground. He was just 

 above the spot where a number of big branches put out, in different directions. He 

 surrounded the tree four or five times, while fully a dozen feet of his neck and head 

 were extended along one of the limbs. 



The reptile was motionless from head to tail, though, if it chose, it could have 

 unwound 'tself with great rapidity. 



The four sportsmen stood for a minute, gazing in silent awe. 



" Did you ever see the like ? " asked Bob. 



"Never," replied Dick, "and I can't say that I'm anxious to see it again." 



"And yet there are plenty of them," remarked Mr. Godkin. 



"Do you think it sees us?" 



Likely enough, for it is on the watch for game, and they have a keen vision.** 



" Suppose it should unwind and come for us ? " 



" It would be a good time to leave," was the half jocular remark of MR Godkin; 

 "but I don't apprehend anything of the kind, unless we venture nearer." 



