p its head.

We measured the anaconda, which was fully thirty feet long; and Tim
having cut it open with his axe, we found the body of a young deer, and
three pacas, each larger than a hare, perfectly entire, showing that the
creature had only just swallowed them. Its appearance was most hideous,
the creature being very broad in the middle, and tapering abruptly at
both ends. It had probably come up a small stream which ran into the
main river, and which passed at no great distance from the spot where it
had attacked Jose.

I was not before aware that anacondas of any size were to be found in
Trinidad; indeed, Camo had told us that he had never seen one, and that
at all events they were very rare.

We now turned our attention to Jose, who had not yet recovered from his
terror. He sat moaning on the ground, and feeling his limbs, as if
still uncertain whether or not they were broken. We at length got him
on his legs, and taking him to the water, washed off the serpent's
blood, which abundantly besprinkled his face and shoulders.

"And now, Jose, tell me, where were you going when the serpent stopped
you?" I asked, when he had recovered sufficiently to speak.

"Oh, don't ask me, Senor Guy! I will go back with you, and remain
faithful to the end of my days."

I thought it best not to put further questions to the man, intending to
leave it to my father to do so; but I strongly suspected that had not
the anaconda put a stop to his proceedings, we should not have seen him
again. Indeed, I may say that I was certain he was on his way to give
information to the Inquisition of our place of concealment.

Assisting him along, we reached our sylvan home just as darkness set in.
My father looked sternly at Jose, and asked where he had been going.
The wretched man, falling on his knees, then acknowledged his intended
treachery, and, begging my father to forgive him, said he would be
faithful in future.

"I will trust you thus far," said my father: "you must never leave this
retreat while we remain here."

Jose made no answer, but, sitting down on the ground, groaned as if in
great pain. Indeed, the anaconda had given him a greater squeeze than
we had at first supposed.

"You may depend on it, your honour, that I will keep an eye on our
friend here," said Tim, glancing at Jose. "If it had not been for the
big serpent, he would have been after getting those `Inquisitive'
gentlemen down upon us. I will make my shil