CHAPTER XL.

DEATH OF THE BURGLAR BY THE SNAKE.

The struggle that was going on in our room did not prevent me—­as I lay upon the floor, too exhausted and faint to assist the ruffian who called himself Pete Hurley’s friend—­from glancing towards Fred, to see how he fared.  He appeared to be in the same condition as myself, and was lying upon his side, almost motionless; but his eyes were riveted upon the horrible contortions of the snake, as the ruffian, a powerfully built man, strove to tear off the coils which bound him with fetters that were like steel.

The man’s cries and oaths were fierce, but uttered in a gasping tone, as though his very life was being pressed out.  Three coils were around him, and each moment I thought that I could see them gradually tighten, but still the resistance of the victim was none the less powerful.

He grasped the snake around the body, and strove, with his powerful hands, to make it yield its death hug; but his efforts seemed to have no more effect than if he had clinched a bar of iron, or a young sapling.  Around they went—­the snake with his head upon the floor, his eyes flashing fire, and his mouth expanding, and tongue darting back and forth, and seeming to enjoy the night’s adventure as one that was unexpected as well as gratifying.

I saw the ruffian make desperate attempts to reach his knife, which was in his belt; but the coils around him prevented, and in their extremity they turned and staggered around the store, upsetting barrels and boxes, yet all the time I saw that the reptile had the advantage, and could, with a slight exertion of strength, drive his antagonist whither he pleased.

I was as much fascinated with the fight, as I had been with the eyes of the snake, and did not move hand or foot to assist the robber.  Even if a shot would have put an end to the combat, I did not dare to fire it, for fear of killing the man; and as for approaching to use our knives, the bare thought was enough to cause a shudder, for the snake managed to keep his head towards us, and with expanded mouth and glistening lungs, appeared to warn us that the fight was a fair one, and that he would brook no interference.

At length I saw the struggling wretch grasp the tail of the reptile with one hand, and seek to unwind the folds that bound him.  As well might he have attempted to bend or loosen bars of iron, for with a slight effort the snake freed that portion of his body, and raising his head, hissed, as though with scorn, at the effort of the poor mortal.

The ruffian was not daunted, although a fierce imprecation escaped his lips, as the animal raised his head, and seemed disposed to accomplish the destruction of his antagonist without further delay.

Again did he struggle to get at his knife, and this time, owing to a slight relaxation of the coils around his body, he was successful.  I saw the glittering steel flourished in the air, and I saw by the sudden contraction of the serpent’s folds, that it was aware that a battle of life and death was now to take place between them.