As things stood, the serpent had undoubtedly the advantage.
It was likely to prove a protracted struggle; for, although there was much twisting and wriggling over the ground, and flapping of the odd wing--that was still free--very little change for a long time appeared to take place in the relative position of the combatants.

This could be seen, whenever they paused to rest themselves--which they did every two or three minutes.
How was it to end?
The kite could not kill the snake, for he could not get at it, either with his beak or talons.

The hold which he had at first taken he had lost, in his attempts to save himself from falling; and he was now unable to renew it, so closely was the reptile warped around him.

The snake, on the other hand, could not kill the kite; for, although possessed of considerable powers of constriction, they were not sufficient.

It was strong enough to hold, and, perhaps, _squeeze_ its antagonist, but not strong enough to crush and kill him.
Though each, no doubt, at the moment wished to be far enough from the other, they could not separate with safety to both.