They occupied but a moment however--for it was but a few seconds from the time the kite was first noticed wheeling high in the air, until he swept along the tops of the low trees, so close that the boys could distinguish the red iris of his glistening eyes.
Now, for the first time, the snake caught sight of him.

Hitherto it had been too much occupied with its own prey, which it had succeeded in swallowing.

The shadow of the broad wings fell upon the sunlit sward directly before its eyes.

It looked up, and saw its terrible enemy.

It seemed to shiver through its whole length, and turn paler in colour.