n his hand and poised.
With a single stroke the body of the snake was severed above the last
coil, and the portion suspended from the tree fell alongside of the
combatants, and John's hands reached out to assist Harry.

[Illustration: _"With a single stroke the body of the snake was severed
above the last coil"_]

Harry was frightened so that he could hardly utter a word, and after
some exertion he disentangled himself and gazed on the immense serpent.
When he had recovered partially he was too much excited to proceed, and
they returned to the camp with a story of the attack and the noble
rescue on the part of John.

George's excitement was at fever heat. "We must get his skin." Harry was
willing, because a trophy of that kind was worth preserving. The team
was taken along, as it was fully a half mile from the camp. When the
Professor saw the serpent he congratulated Harry on his escape, who, but
for the fortunate presence of John, would have been killed.

It measured twenty-two feet in length and its greatest diameter was
eight inches.

"What is this--the boa constrictor?"

"It belongs to the same family, but is known as the anaconda."

"What is the difference between the boa constrictor and the python?"

"The boas are the species found in the western hemisphere, whereas the
pythons inhabit the eastern countries. The anaconda is a native of
Brazil and some of the other South American countries. They are
non-poisonous, and depend for securing prey on their wonderful swiftness
and in the tremendous power which they exert when the victims are in
their grasp."

As usual, George had been prospecting also, and when the skin had been
removed and the excitement died away, he exhibited a peculiar fruit. It
was the shape and size of a pear, but had a peculiar kidney-shaped
pendant at its large end.

The Professor smiled when he saw it. "You have the fruit of the
Anacardium, or cashew tree. That is, it is a combined fruit and nut."

"Is this little projecting part a nut?"

"Yes; and this evening we can try some of them; but they must be
roasted. The fruit can be eaten as it is, but it is like the persimmon;
it must be fully ripe, or it will be too astringent. It is a fine
medicine, and the sap of the tree produces a product like gum arabic,
and is known in commerce as acajou."

[Illustration: _Fig. 31. Acajou._]

The elevation which Harry was anxious to gain was before them, less than
a mile, and as it was not m