He knew that the boa's bite was harmless, and that it was only its embrace that was to be feared.
He was within some eight feet of the reptile, when there was a spring.

The snake's head disappeared and, in a moment, it was writhing, twisting, and lashing its tail so quickly that his eyes could hardly follow its contortions.
"Stand back, master," Meinik shouted.

"If its tail strikes you, it might do you an injury.

It is harmless, otherwise.

I have cut its head off." Stanley stepped back a pace or two, and stood gazing in awe at the tremendous writhing of the headless snake.
"It is a monster, Meinik," he said.
"It is a big snake, master.