We remarked in the branches of one of the trees a dark body, which, on nearer inspection, we found to be that of a large serpent, lying coiled up, and waiting, probably, to dart upon its prey.

We ventured pretty near, but it remained quite motionless without turning its eyes from us, and little thinking how near its death was.

One of the gentlemen fired, and hit it in the side.

As quick as lightning, and with the greatest fury, it darted from the tree, but remained fast, with its tail entangled in a bough.

It kept making springs at us, with its forked tongue exposed to view, but all in vain, as we kept at a respectable distance.