l8o "ONE TWO THREE 1" 



All at once, it was seen to be winding and unwinding its body with lightning- 

 like rapidity, whipping among the branches with a fury that looked as if it must 

 splinter everything within reach. 



" It may come this way," remarked Mr. Godkin, who saw that it was gradually 

 working toward the ground, where, when it arrived and continued its struggles, it 

 would be like the piece of pyrotechny known as a "chaser," which darts in the most 

 unexpected directions. The snake was liable to make a plunge toward the specta- 

 tors, without meaning it, but, in such an event, the results were sure to be disastrous. 



Every one moved nimbly back a couple of rods, where the sight was partly 

 obscured, observing which, Mr. Godkin again stepped forward, determined to miss 

 nothing. 



The terrific threshing lasted but a few minutes, when it gradually ceased, and 

 all became still. 



" I believe the creature is dead," said the gentleman, stepping a little nearer 

 and peering carefully through the undergrowth. 



" Have a care ! " admonished Bob; "you can well afford to wait until certain." 



The advice was good and was heeded. All, however, went far enough to observe 

 that the reptile lay on the ground, contorted and partly coiled and as motionless as 

 when it was first descried in the branches of the tree. 



" He dead," said Pongo, who showed his faith by going forward and kicking 

 the body. A nervous twitching of the tail caused the others some misgiving, but 

 there remained no doubt that the boa-constrictor was lifeless. 



The next wish, after inspecting it, was to ascertain its length. This was rather 

 difficult, owing to its twisted posture on the ground, but Poago with some effort 

 stretched the snake at full length upon the ground, and Mr. Godkin applied his 

 tape measure, from the tip of the tail to the extremity of the head. 



Shall I tell you the precise length ? 



" Thirty-one feet, three inches." 



