Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/178

154 Losing his patience at length, he gave up the attempt to sleep in despair and determined to destroy as many of his enemies as possible in revenge; yet the musquitoes continued to buzz about and feed upon him and the greater number he killed the more was his anger excited. After being employed some hours in this manner by break of day very few of his adversaries remained; and in exultation over his victory, he made a hasty caper, lost his balance, and fell from the tree upon which he had been attempting to sleep.

When he reached the ground, he saw the glittering eyes of a large snake fixed intently upon him, as he lay half coiled round some loose rocks and stones, with the first rays of the coming light shining brightly on his black, white and crimson scales. The snake had been looking out in a longing manner for his morning's meal, and the poor monkey had arrived within his reach most opportunely. He pounced upon him, and though the monkey was almost as large as himself, he quickly crushed him between his folds, anointed him from head to foot with his slime; and finally swallowed him, in a leisurely and self-satisfied manner.