152 MARTIN RATTLER.

mass; after which it licks the carcass all over, and
covers it with a thick coating of saliva. Having
thus prepared its mouthful, the anaconda begins at
the tail and gradually engulfs its victim, while its
elastic jaws, and throat, and stomach are distended
sufficiently to let it in; after which it lies in a torpid
state for many weeks, till the morsel is digested, when
it is ready for another meal. A horse goes down
entire, but a cow sticks at the horns, which the ana-
conda cannot swallow. They are allowed to protrude
from its mouth until they decay and drop off.

They were at a loss at first to account for the
creature being killed, but the old trader suggested
that it had been found in a torpid state and slain by
the Indian whom they had seen a short time ago
enjoying his siesta among the trees.

Having cut it open, in order to convince themselves
beyond a doubt that it had swallowed an entire ox,
Martin and the old trader re-embarked in the canoe,
and Barney was on the point of joining them when
the bushes close beside him were slightly stirred.
Looking quickly round, he beheld the head and the
glittering eyes of another anaconda, apparently as
large as the dead one, ready to dart upon him—at
least so he fancied; but he did not wait to give it a

chance. He fled instantly, and sprang towards the