You see, the face of the rock has been chiselled flat, and I don't think any snake could climb up to that entrance." "Perhaps not, master, but it is best to be ready for them." They lighted two torches, and passed through the doorway.

There was an angry hiss, some distance away.
"That is a snake, sure enough, Meinik.

I wonder how it got here." Holding their torches above their heads, they saw that the chamber was some fourteen feet wide and twenty long.

In the corner to the left something was lying and, above it, a dark object was moving backwards and forwards.
"It is a big boa," Meinik said.

"Now, master, do you take the two torches in one hand, and have your knife ready in the other.