Indeed, I should say that it must be about forty feet long, and it is as thick as my body.

It would be more than a match for a tiger." "Well, I hope there are not many more of them about, Meinik." "That depends, master.

It may have its mate, but it is more likely there will be no other.

It would eat any smaller ones of its own kind, of course; but there may be some small poisonous ones about." As the writhing of the snake ceased, Stanley looked round and saw a narrow doorway, in the corner opposite that in which it had been lying.
"Here is a passage, Meinik.

Let us see where it goes to." Meinik had, by this time, lighted two more torches.
"The more light the better," he said, "when you are looking for snakes," and, holding them in one hand and his knife in the other, he passed through the doorway, which was about four feet high.
Stanley followed him.