Then the young man who had been dragged along the path so ruthlessly turned as pale as had his companion, and so did the lad who had endeavored to act as peacemaker. Meanwhile the three were retreating rapidly to the point where they had dropped their knapsacks and rifles.
“A boa!” repeated Ferguson. “I can hardly believe it!”
“Yes. I once saw one coiled up like that in a menagerie, and the thought that your seat was alive came to me the instant you sat down. As I drew near I made out the scales, which resemble the bark on a tree, and I also saw the head. Its eyes are closed, and it’s evidently in a torpor after gorging. You sat right down in the coils, and it’s a wonder it didn’t wake and squeeze the life out of you.”
Ferguson shuddered, then throwing an arm around his chum’s shoulder, he said:—
“Forgive me, old man.”
“Why, of course. I don’t blame you in the least. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had struck me. In which case we would have fought and afterward would have discussed matters. I expected as much the moment I laid a hand on you, but there wasn’t time for explanations at that stage of the game.”
“I should say not.”
They resumed their burdens and walked forward again along the footpath, but they kept at a respectful distance from his majesty the snake, which remained as when first spied by Ferguson, motionless.
“I don’t wonder that I was fooled,” said he, halting for a look at the enormous reptile. “It looks exactly like branches or a huge vine coiled; now, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does,” assented Harvey, “but down below I can see the head. What enormous jaws!”