"I had no idea Snakes were so fond of each other," said Magh, maliciously.
"Yes; I think I should have eaten him to have saved that worry. But I must tell you about the Mem-Sahib and the Cook. He was small and so black—a perfect little Pig. One day when the Sahib was away, the Cook became possessed of strange devils."
"Became drunken on his Master's liquor, I suppose," remarked Sa'-zada.
"Perhaps, for he came and took me out of the box, wound me around his shoulders and waist, and went with a clamor of evil sounds, in to my Mem-Sahib."
"Just like a Man," sneered Pardus.
"Even I was ashamed," continued Hamadryad. "My Mem-Sahib cried out with fear, and her eyes were dreadful to look into.
"I glided twice about the Man-devil's neck, and drew each coil tight and tight and tighter, and swung my head forward until I looked into his eyes, and I nodded twice thus," and the King Cobra swayed his vicious black head back and forth with the full suggestiveness of a death thrust, until each one of the animals shivered with fear.
"I think he died of the Man-fear Hathi has spoken of, for I did not strike him—it may be that the coils about his throat were over-tight. But I glided back to my box, and I think the Mem-Sahib knew that I did not wish to even make her afraid."
"Most interesting," declared Sa'-zada. "Is that all, Cobra?"
"Yes; I'm tired. Let Python talk."