ONE TWO THREE J 



The flat, hideous head was far out on the branch, which bowed considerably, 

 under the unusual weight. 



While the party were surveying the vast reptile, the front of the head was 

 observed to rise a few inches, the base remaining on the support. 



It looked as if he had espied the parties below, and was saying: "You'll do very 

 well; please come a little closer." 



" Well, Mr. Godk in," said Bob, shall we try it ? " 



"Yes; the mark is so fair that we can't miss." 



"It seems impossible for a single bullet to kill such an enormous creature at 

 that," said Dick, " but I suppose it will do so, if it is rightly aimed." 



"That is at the head?" asked Bob. 



" Yes, though there is the heart, 

 which would do as well, if we could 

 only locate it. But we will try the 

 head, and we must shoot together, so 

 is to give him a triple dose." 



"THIRTY-ONE FEET, THREE INCHES/ 



The preliminaries were 

 quickly settled. It was agreed 

 that when Bob and Dick were 

 sure their aim was accurate, 

 they were to utter a slight 



exclamation. Then Mr. Godkin would count slowly, and at the word " Three!" all 

 would pull trigger. 



The boys kept their bodies well hidden behind the broad trunk at their side, 

 while Pongo watched the hunters with a vivid interest, which possibly may be 

 imagined. 



Carefully and coolly our friends pointed their rifles at the head of the reptile. 

 Holding them stationary for a few seconds only, the cousins softly spoke: 

 "Now!" 



One two three! " 



The three reports sounded like one, and the bullets tore their way clean through 

 foe constrictor's head, each taking a fatal course, and only a few inches apart. 



The monster did not stir for perhaps five seconds. It must have been that that 

 length of time was required for it to discover that its " time had come." 



