As he said—so it proved, for after another half-hour’s walking, during which they had become bathed in perspiration from the moist heat, there was less tangled growth, and the magnificent trees grew more distant one from the other. They were of kinds quite unknown to the little party, who, though seeking birds, could not help admiring the vast monarchs of the primeval forest.
“This looks more hopeful,” cried Bob, who so far had only heard the occasional note of a bird which was invisible. Now he saw one or two flit across the sunny glade in advance.
“Yes, there are birds here; but take care, there are serpents too.”
Tom Long winced a little at this last announcement, for he had a honour of the twining creatures; and as his memory ran back to the narrow escape of Adam Gray, from the sea snake, he asked with some little trepidation,—
“Poisonous?”
“Oh, yes, some of them! But you need not be alarmed, they hurry off as soon as they hear our steps.”
“But,” said Tom, to Bob’s very great delight, for he could see his companion’s alarm, “how about the boa-constrictors?”
“Pythons your people call them,” said Ali. “Yes, there are plenty of them in the wet places.”
“Dangerous?”
“No,” said Ali, “I never knew them to be—only to the little pigs.”