Gradually, the sliding coils slackened speed. It was Biff who spoke now, his own voice strained, but low:
“It’s turning now, Kamuka. It may be coming back.”
“Maybe, but stay still. One move, you are gone.”
Despite himself, Biff raised his head, only slightly, but enough to look beyond the long, hoselike body that was still gliding by. Aloud, Biff groaned:
“There is Luiz—coming straight toward us—”
Biff threw up his arms to ward off the great boa’s tail as it lashed past. Looking up, he saw the snake’s huge mouth yawning toward him. Biff shut his eyes, thinking there was no hope now. Then a wild scream came from just ahead.
Biff and Kamuka bobbed up from the grass and saw what had happened. The anaconda, on the rove for prey, had lashed out for the first moving thing that approached it—Luiz. Caught in the snake’s coils, the guide was shouting:
“Urubu! Ajudo! Ajudo!”
Urubu took one quick look and relayed the call for help. Serbot and Pepito came from the tent, saw what was happening, and dashed back for their guns. Biff didn’t wait to watch what followed. He grabbed Kamuka’s arm and exclaimed, “Let’s go!”
They went. Behind them, they heard a burst of gunfire. Those first shots must have wounded the anaconda or frightened it away, for the next volley whistled through the foliage as Biff and Kamuka dived into the jungle. The boys found their path and raced along it until the shooting dwindled far behind them.