few for ourselves, in
case the eggs should not be as fresh as we might desire; while Raff and
Fangs will have no objection to as many as we like to give them."

"You don't mean to say that we may have to eat some of that horrible
snake!" cried Percy.

"I mean to say it is possible that we may be very glad to eat a good
junk of it," answered Denis. "We may fancy all the time that we are
banqueting on a magnificent sturgeon."

"Oh, do let us get the fire lighted first, and cook an egg," cried
Percy. "Without food I am sure I could not drag that snake a dozen
feet."

To this Denis agreed. Having match-boxes in their pouches, they quickly
lighted their fire, but they had to wait till some ashes were formed
before they could begin to cook one of the eggs. In the meantime Denis
cut some slices from the thicker part of the snake's body, and some
hunches which the hungry dogs very speedily disposed of. He then began
to drag it away, but alone he could scarcely move it, so that Percy, in
spite of his hunger, was obliged to assist him. They did not get far,
however, but hurried back, pretty well exhausted, to cook the eggs they
were longing for. Denis performed the operation in a scientific manner,
by making a small hole at one end, and then putting in some pepper and
salt which they had brought with them, and stirring the inside about
with a stick till the egg was cooked. It was soon done in this fashion;
and greatly to the satisfaction of Percy, who dreaded having to sup off
the snake's flesh, it was found to be perfectly sweet. Although they
had no water, they were able from the liquid nature of the egg to eat a
small portion of the biscuit they had in their pouches. The meal
greatly restored their strength, as well as Percy's spirits.

Having made up the fire to give them light, they dragged the body of the
snake still farther from the camp. Denis was inclined to remain under
the tree, where he could stretch himself at full length on the ground.
Percy entreated him to come up into the branches.

"But supposing we were both to go to sleep, and the fire was to go out,
and a lion was to come prowling this way, what would become of us?"
asked Denis. At last he agreed to do as Percy wished, and making up the
fire so as to give them plenty of light, they climbed into the tree with
their guns and four ostrich eggs.

"We must get up the dogs also, or some wild beast or other may carry
them off," said Denis. "Com