," said my uncle in a whisper. "Do you see that seeming
branch, and the huge lifeless creeper clinging to the trunk?"

I earnestly watched the object he pointed at, when I perceived that what
I took to be the stump of a branch was in reality the head of a huge
serpent, whose body was coiled round the tree. The birds came nearer
and nearer. One beautiful pigeon was standing on a bough directly above
the serpent's head, while others of gay plumage flitted round and round,
evidently brought there by some fascinating power it was exerting. The
upper part of its body was not coiled round the tree, but simply pressed
against it, so that in an instant it could reach to a considerable
distance. We watched without uttering a sound, and suddenly its tongue
projected from its mouth, and, quick as lightning, it darted forward its
head and seized the beautiful pigeon on the nearest branch. So rapid
was the movement, that I thought the bird had fallen to the ground; but,
as we looked, we saw by the swelling in the creature's throat that it
had secured its prey. Again it drew back into its former position,
where it remained perfectly motionless; while the other birds came
nearer and nearer, and one at length took the place of its unfortunate
fellow which had been captured. After a little time the first bird was
swallowed, and another caught in the same manner. I was anxious to
shoot the serpent. I fired, but missed, I suppose, for the creature did
not move. My uncle then took aim at its head. He killed it apparently;
but instead of falling down, it remained coiled up, the head as it fell
catching in the fork of a branch, which held it securely. There it
hung, and we were unable to reach it to ascertain more particularly the
species to which it belonged. The birds, frightened by the report, flew
away.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

AN EXPEDITION ALONG THE COAST--PIRATES APPEAR.

The nature of the ground had led us somewhat out of the course for the
house. We now struck across the country, hoping to reach it, the ground
being less covered with trees and underwood. We had gone for some
distance, when we saw before us a high mound. It could not be called a
mountain, but it was of considerable elevation, and of a conical shape,
with a flat top. My uncle believed that it had been formed by volcanic
action, though now being covered with brushwood and herbage and a few
tall trees, it was evident that it had been thrown up some