cause he enjoyed the warmth of the sun and because, being absolutely fearless, he cared not a whit how conspicuous his position might render him or how many pairs of eyes might spy upon him. Presently, when the sun had passed its zenith and the circle of light had shifted a little to the eastward, so that part of his body lay in shadow, the flat head reared itself six inches from the ground, the loose coils slid strangely in opposite directions upon one another, and, when the movement ceased and the head sank again upon the sand, his whole body was once more immersed in light.
For another half-hour he lay utterly still, seem'ing scarcely to breathe. Then he uncoiled slowly and languidly, swung his slim neck across his stout, olive-colored tail, forming a great loop, and, straightening to his full length, went forth to his hunting.
The snake headed diagonally away from the pool, keeping to the dry ground and avoiding as far as possible the swampy, reed-choked places. He moved a little more slowly perhaps than a man ordinarily walks and his passage was almost noiseless. His body seemed to flow along over the leaves and grass, as though propelled by some mysterious and unseen force. There was a certain dignity about his going—an utter lack of the furtiveness which marks the movements of all the four-footed
