He took the red pig instead of one of us." "Not for the want of trying," said Venning.

"He nearly had us both, Muata." "But he took the pig," said Muata.

"It is his hunt, and it means well for us that he took the pig." "It certainly does; but how are we to get our guns, if we don't shoot him ?" Muata placed his weapon on the ground and advanced.

The python had completed its work so far.

Two vast coils were round the crushed body of the boar; the head rested on the upmost coil, with the eyes fixed on the intruders, and the rest of the body reached away into the shadows.
Muata advanced with the palms of his hands open, and his eyes downcast, as if he were in the presence of some great chief.