Beyond, the light branches shook as the huge coils passed over them.

Such coils! As they moved into the sunlight they saw the glitter of the scales and the ridges of the muscles, and the movement was like the movement of several serpents instead of one.
Venning looked again at the motionless head.

"When it has gathered its length behind and above its head," he said slowly, "it will strike." "And you dropped the guns!" "No one can stare a snake out--no one," said Venning; and his eyes were fixed.
"How far can it strike ?" "It has no lids to its eyes.

It just looks and looks.

Compton!" Compton took Venning by the arm and shook him.