e must be some wild beast in the tree."

Both gazed attentively at the tree, but could see nothing to
account for the attitude of the deer.

"Wild beast or no," Ned said, "he will do for our dinner."

So saying, he unslung his bow, and fitted an arrow. There was a
sharp twang, and the deer rolled over, struck to the heart. There
was no movement in the tree, but Ned placed another arrow in place.
Tom had done the same.

They stood silent for a few minutes, but all was still.

"Keep your eyes on the tree and advance slowly," Ned said. "Have
your sword ready in case of need. I cannot help thinking there is
something there, though what it is I can't make out."

Slowly, and with the greatest caution, they approached the tree.
All was perfectly still.

"No beast big enough to hurt us can be up there," Ned said at last.
"None of the branches are thick enough to hide him.

"Now for the stag."

Ned bent over the carcass of the deer, which lay a few feet only
from the tree. Then suddenly there was a rapid movement among the
creepers which embraced the trunk, something swept between Ned and
Tom, knocking the latter to the ground, while a cry of alarm and
astonishment rose from Ned.

Confused and surprised, Tom sprang to his feet, instinctively
drawing his sword as he did so. For a moment he stood, paralyzed
with horror. A gigantic snake had wound its coils round Ned's body.
Its head towered above his, while its eyes flashed menacingly, and
its tongue vibrated with a hissing sound as it gazed at Tom. Its
tail was wound round the trunk of the tree. Ned was powerless, for
his arms were pinioned to his side by the coils of the reptile.

It was but a moment that Tom stood appalled. He knew that, at any
instant, by the tightening of its folds the great boa could crush
every bone of Ned's body; while the very closeness of its embrace
rendered it impossible for him to strike at it, for fear of
injuring its captor. There was not an instant to be lost. Already
the coils were tightening, and a hoarse cry broke from Ned.

With a rapid spring Tom leaped beyond his friend, and with a blow,
delivered with all his strength, severed the portion of the tail
coiled round the tree from the rest of the body.

Unknowingly, he had taken the only course to save Ned's life. Had
he, as his first impulse had been, struck at the head as it raised
itself above that of Ned, the convulsion of the rest of the body
would probably have crushed the