It was too late.

She knew there was no one near--no one within miles of her.

When she raised her eyes from the mangled corpse, it was only to rest them upon the black water, and there, under the shadow of the guava bushes, swam the hideous reptile, to and fro.

He had swallowed the morsel, and was eagerly watching for more.
"The countenance of the woman betrayed a mingled expression of agony and vengeance.

All at once a thought seemed to strike her--a sudden resolve.