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52 What could I do?

If I moved they would see me.

And directly they did would most likely tear me to a thousand pieces.

They came to where the birds had killed their mate, and saw its feathers and blood lying about.

Giving a shrill note like that of anger, they rushed back to where the leader of the party was standing, the others collected on hearing the cry, and all started gesticulating and making a frightful noise at the same time.

What would they do?

After a few moments they became calmer and quieter, and were evidently listening to the one I had noticed directing them, and whom I distinguished by the different sound of his voice.

When he had finished, they advanced in a body to where the bird had been killed and carefully examined the ground.

While they were thus engaged one of them gave a most awful human-like shriek of agony and fell down.

Looking in that direction, I saw one of the enormous reptiles gliding away from where the wretched creature was.

The others all got out of the way of the snake, and then clustered round the wounded one, who lay still, moaning in the most piteous manner; but not attempting to do anything.