hing him on to an unknown end. Indeed his next words showed
that this was so, for he exclaimed:

"'There is something drawing me into that cave, my lord. It may be
death; I think it is death, but whatever it be, go I must. Perhaps you
would do well to stop outside till I have seen.'

"I stepped forward to catch hold of the man, who I thought had gone mad,
as perhaps was the case. Before I could lay my hands on him he had
run rapidly to the mouth of the cave. Of course I followed, but when I
reached its entrance the star of light thrown forward by the bull's-eye
lantern showed me that he was already about eight yards down the tunnel.
Then I heard a terrible hissing noise and Savage exclaiming: 'Oh! my
God!' twice over. As he spoke the lantern fell from his hand, but did
not go out, because, as you know, it is made to burn in any position.
I leapt forward and picked it from the ground, and while I was doing so
became aware that Savage was running still farther into the depths of
the cave. I lifted the lantern above my head and looked.

"This was what I saw: About ten paces from me was Savage with his arms
outstretched and dancing--yes, dancing--first to the right and then to
the left, with a kind of horrible grace and to the tune of a hideous
hissing music. I held the lantern higher and perceived that beyond him,
lifted eight or nine feet into the air, nearly to the roof of the tunnel
in fact, was the head of the hugest snake of which I have ever heard. It
was as broad as the bottom of a wheelbarrow--were it cut off I think
it would fill a large wheelbarrow--while the neck upon which it was
supported was quite as thick as my middle, and the undulating body
behind it, which stretched far away into the darkness, was the size of
an eighteen-gallon cask and glittered green and grey, lined and splashed
with silver and with gold.

"It hissed and swayed its great head to the right, holding Savage with
cold eyes that yet seemed to be on fire, whereon he danced to the right.
It hissed again and swayed its head to the left, whereon he danced to
the left. Then suddenly it reared its head right to the top of the cave
and so remained for a few seconds, whereon Savage stood still, bending
a little forward, as though he were bowing to the reptile. Next instant,
like a flash it struck, for I saw its white fangs bury themselves in
the back of Savage, who with a kind of sigh fell forward on to his face.
Then there was a convulsion of th