Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/182

158 caution removed all the outside stones and pieces of rock one by one bringing their united strength to lift the more weighty fragments till all were cleared away; the projecting rock was not a large one, but much remained to be done. They broke away the loose pieces about the entrance, so that the avenue was considerably widened they then collected fragments of rock to assist them in breaking off others; the aperture grew wider, and at last they began to discern the brilliant coils and shining eyes of the serpent at the extremity of the den. Hurling some stones, violently against him, they succeeded in forcing him from his retreat in a rage; and he was no sooner fully exposed to view, than a hundred stones and pieces of rock of a large size were dashed upon him; he wavered for one moment in the attempt to return, and in the next, his head was so crushed and beaten in as to render him utterly helpless and at their mercy. They then despatched him amid loud screams of exultation; appearing to take a great delight in seeing him quiver beneath them, and in imprinting their paws upon his beautiful skin from time to time.

"My only wonder was," added the narrator