"No, Sahib, not unless we were in a deep, dark part of the jungle."
"Oh well, never mind," said Harry. "It wouldn't be pleasant before breakfast. Here, let's go ashore now we're so near, Phra. Anything burned in the fire last night?"
"Yes, Sahib; I've found four dead birds under the trees, and some lizards and snakes that had been too close. Some of them were only half dead. They had scorched themselves and then crawled away."
The boys went up to the blazing fire, to find Mike busy cooking the men's breakfast, the latter making way for the lads to come close up to the pleasant glow, which dissipated the chilly mist floating around.
As they went round the fire Sree pointed out the remains of several reptiles, one of which was still moving and writhing slightly.
This—part of a long, thin snake—Sree stooped to twitch into the hottest part of the glowing fire.
"Oh, I say, Sree, how horrid!" said Harry.
"No, sir; better dead than living in such pain. It could never get well. This one might," he added, dragging another from among the low growth close by, with the result that it came to and bit at a bamboo staff the man held.
"It's poisonous," cried Phra. "Mind!"
"Yes, Sahib; I'll take care," said Sree. "It is a good deal scorched, but it might live and do mischief. It is a very bad kind, almost as poisonous as the naga."