Stoop.

I don't want you to get a notice to quit in the shape of a spear." Mark obeyed, and went on as swiftly and as silently as he could, so as to reach the path they had made in coming, and to this end he had to quit the denser shade and pass through a clump of foliage plants and flowering bushes of the loveliest hues.
The way seemed easy, and the bushes were not so closely together, but the ferns were enormous, their fronds stretching out in all directions and having to be pressed aside.
"Never mind me," whispered the major, as Mark held an unusually large frond aside.

"Bear down more to the right and strike the stream.

We mustn't leave those pigeons." Mark forced his way on, with the growth completely hiding him from his companion, while the heat seemed to be more and more oppressive.

It was a dank stewing heat, very different to the scorching of the sun out in the more open parts, and both were longing to get to a spot where they could breathe more freely, when Mark, who was about six yards ahead, leaped down into a little hollow to save himself from a fall, his feet having given way as he trod upon the rotten roots of a large fern.
It was a matter of a few instants, for as the lad alighted he found that it was upon something soft and elastic, and at the same moment there was a disturbance among the undergrowth and a sharp angry hiss.
He bounded back with a faint cry of horror, turned, and taking rapid aim at the spot where he had leaped fired downward.
"Quick! load again," said the major.
"A great serpent," panted Mark, obeying with nervous fingers.
"Killed him ?" "Don't know, sir," said Mark, staring down among the ferns and arums which filled the hole.
"Must have killed him, for he does not move.