ADVENTURE WITH A BOA. 65 



rushed out of the water-course and made for 

 the river. Just as it was leaping over the log 

 the snake darted forward and coiled itself round 

 the body and neck of the pig, and held it fast. 

 The pig gave a struggle or two and was dead. 

 The snake had its coil still round the body of the 

 pig, when out rushed a pack of wild dogs which 

 were evidently hunting the pig. The foremost 

 dog was nearly on to the snake before it saw him. 

 With a sharp yell it sprang to one side, while the 

 boa uncoiled itself from the pig and hissing loudly 

 sheltered itself behind the log. The whole pack 

 now formed themselves up behind their leader, 

 snarling savagely and showing their teeth and eye- 

 ing the carcase of the pig the while. But the snake 

 was not to be baulked of his prey. His body was 

 close-drawn in great folds near to his head, which 

 was only just raised off the ground ; his eyes 

 gleaming and his forked tongue flickering in and 

 out of his closed lips, while the end of his tail 

 kept swaying from side to side, as hiss after hiss 

 replied to the snarls of the dogs. This went on 

 for a little while, until one of the dogs made a snap 

 at the pig. Quicker than an arrow from a well- 

 strung bow, shot forward the head of the snake, 

 full six feet, and struck the venturesome dog 

 straight in the ribs, and was back to its original 

 position in a moment. The dog was thrown clean 

 off its legs several paces, and with a convulsive 

 kick or two was dead. You smile, Huzoor, but 

 it is true words I am telling. These snakes always 

 fight in that way. I have seen a bullock's ribs 



5 



