I cannot help thinking there is something there, though what it is I can't make out." Slowly, and with the greatest caution, they approached the tree.
All was perfectly still.
"No beast big enough to hurt us can be up there," Ned said at last.
"None of the branches are thick enough to hide him.
"Now for the stag." Ned bent over the carcass of the deer, which lay a few feet only from the tree.

Then suddenly there was a rapid movement among the creepers which embraced the trunk, something swept between Ned and Tom, knocking the latter to the ground, while a cry of alarm and astonishment rose from Ned.
Confused and surprised, Tom sprang to his feet, instinctively drawing his sword as he did so.

For a moment he stood, paralyzed with horror.

A gigantic snake had wound its coils round Ned's body.
Its head towered above his, while its eyes flashed menacingly, and its tongue vibrated with a hissing sound as it gazed at Tom.

Its tail was wound round the trunk of the tree.