For some moments Trüey was speechless. Terror had robbed her of the power of speech. She could only scream, and fling her arms wildly about.
But these demonstrations7, instead of warning Jan of the danger, only rendered it the more certain. He connected the cries which Trüey now uttered with that which had first summoned him. She was in some trouble—he knew not what; but as she continued to scream, he believed that something had attacked her. A snake he thought it might be; but whatever it was, his first impulse was to hurry up to her rescue. He could do no good until close to her; and, therefore, he did not think of halting until he should reach the spot where she stood.
Her screams, therefore, and the wild gestures that accompanied them, only caused him to run the faster; and as his eyes were bent8 anxiously on Trüey, there was not the slightest hope that he would perceive the serpent until he had either trodden upon it, or felt its fatal bite.
Trüey uttered one last cry of warning, pronouncing at the same time the words:—
“O, brother! back! The snake! the snake!”
The words were uttered in vain. Jan heard them, but did not comprehend their meaning. He heard the word “snake.” He was expecting as much; it had attacked Trüey; and although he did not see it, it was no doubt wound about her body. He hurried on.
Already he was within six paces of the dread9 reptile, that had erected11 its long spread neck to receive him. Another moment, and its envenomed fangs12 would pierce deep into his flesh.
With a despairing scream Trüey rushed forward. She hoped to attract the monster upon herself. She would risk her own life to save that of her brother!
She had got within six feet of the threatening reptile. Jan was about the same distance from it on the opposite side. They were equally in peril13; and one or the other—perhaps both—would have fallen a sacrifice to the deadly cobra; but at that moment their saviour14 was nigh. A dark shadow passed under their eyes—in their ears was a rushing sound like the “whish” of a falling body—and at the same instant a large bird darted down between them!
It did not stay to alight. For a moment its strong broad wings agitated15 the air in their faces; but the next moment the bird made a sudden effort, and rose vertically16 upwards.
Trüey’s eyes fell upon the ground. The cobra was no longer there.
With an exclamation18 of joy she sprang forward, and, throwing her arms around Jan, cried out,—
“We are saved, brother!—we are saved!”
Jan was somewhat bewildered. As yet he had seen no snake. He had seen the bird dart4 down between them; but so adroitly19 had it seized the cobra and carried it off, that Jan, looking only at Trüey, had not perceived the serpent in its beak20. He was bewildered and terrified, for he still fancied that Trüey was in danger.
When he heard her exclaim, “We are saved!” he was bewildered all the more.
“But the snake!” he cried out. “Where is the snake?”
As he put these questions, he kept examining Trüey from head to foot, as if expecting to see a reptile twined around some part of her body.
“The snake, Jan! Did you not see it? It was just there, at our feet; but now—see! yonder it is. The secretary has got it. See! They are fighting! Good bird! I hope it will punish the villain21 for trying to rob my pretty weavers22. That’s it, good bird! Give it to him! See, Jan! What a fight!”
“Oh, ah!” said Jan, now comprehending the situation. “Oh, ah! Sure yonder is a snake, and a whopper, too. Ne’er fear, Trüey! Trust my secretary. He’ll give the rascal23 a taste of his claws. There’s a lick well put in! Another touch like that, and there won’t be much life left in the scaly24 villain. There again,—wop!”
With these and similar exclamations25 the two children stood watching the fierce conflict that raged between the bird and the reptile.
Now this bird was a very peculiar26 one—so much so, that in all the world there is no other of the same kind. In form it resembled a crane, having very long legs, and being about the height and size of a crane. Its head and beak, however, were more like those of an eagle or vulture. It had well-developed wings, armed with spurs, and a very long tail, with the two middle feathers longer than the rest. Its general colour was bluish grey, with a white throat and breast, and a reddish tinge27 upon the wing-feathers. But, perhaps, the most remarkable28 thing about the bird was its “crest.” This consisted of a number of long, blackish plumes29 growing out of its occiput, and extending down the back of its neck nearly to the shoulders. These gave the bird a very peculiar appearance; and the fancied resemblance to a secretary of the olden time with his long quill30 behind his ear—before steel pens came into fashion—is the reason why the bird has received the very inappropriate name of the “Secretary-bird.”
It is more properly named the “serpent-eater,” and naturalists31 have given it the title Gypogeranus, or “crane-vulture.” It is sometimes also called “the messenger,” from the staid solemn manner of its walk, as it stalks over the plain.
Of all its names that of “serpent-eater” is the best adapted to the character of the bird. It is true there are other birds that kill and eat serpents,—as the “guaco” bird of South America, and many hawks32 and kites,—but the secretary is the only winged creature that makes reptiles33 of this class exclusively its prey34, and carries on a constant war against them. It is not strictly35 correct to say that it feeds exclusively upon snakes. It will also eat lizards36, tortoises, and even locusts37; but snakes are certainly its favourite food, and to obtain these it risks its life in many a deadly encounter with those of a very large kind. The serpent-eater is an African bird, and is not peculiar to South Africa alone, as it is found in the Gambia country. It is also a native of the Philippine Isles38. There is some doubt whether the species of the Philippine Isles is identical with that of Africa. A difference is noted39 in the plumage, though very slight. The disposition40 of the crest-plumes differs in the two, and the tail-feathers are differently arranged. In the African species the two middle ones are the longest, while in the serpent-eater of the Philippines it is the two outside feathers that project—giving the bird the appearance of having a “fork” or “swallow” tail. Some points of distinction have also been observed between the South African bird and that of the Gambia.
The serpent-eater is, however, a very unique bird; and naturalists, failing to class it with either hawks, eagles, vultures, gallinae, or cranes, have elevated it, so as to form a distinct tribe, family, genus, and species, of itself.
In South Africa it frequents the great plains and dry karoos, stalking about in search of its prey. It is not gregarious41, but lives solitary42 or in pairs, making its nest in trees,—usually those of a thick thorny43 species,—which renders the nest most difficult of approach. The whole edifice44 is about three feet in diameter, and resembles the nests of the tree-building eagles. It is usually lined with feathers and down, and two or three eggs are the number deposited for a single hatching.
The serpent-eater is an excellent runner, and spends more time on foot than on the wing. It is a shy wary45 bird, yet, notwithstanding, it is most easily domesticated46; and it is not uncommon47 to see them about the houses of the Cape48 farmers, where they are kept as pets, on account of their usefulness in destroying snakes, lizards, and other vermin. They have been long ago introduced into the French West India Islands, and naturalised there—in order that they should make war upon the dangerous “yellow serpent” (Trigonocephalus lanceolatus), the plague of the plantations49 in those parts.
Now the bird which had so opportunely50 appeared between Jan and Trüey, and had no doubt saved one or the other, or both, from the deadly bite of the spuugh-slang, was a serpent-eater,—one that had been tamed, and that made its home among the branches of the great nwana-tree. The hunters had found it upon the plain, wounded by some animal,—perhaps a very large snake,—and had brought it home as a curiosity. In time it quite recovered from its wounds; but the kindness it had received, during the period when it was an invalid51, was not thrown away upon it. When it recovered the use of its wings, it refused to leave the society of its protectors, but remained habitually52 in the camp—although it made frequent excursions into the surrounding plains in search of its favourite food. It always, however, returned at night, and roosted among the branches of the great nwana-tree. Of course it was Jan’s pet, and Jan was very good to it; but it now repaid all his kindness in saving him from the fangs of the deadly cobra.
The children, having recovered from their alarm, stood watching the singular conflict between serpent and serpent-eater.
On first seizing the reptile the bird had caught it by the neck in its beak. It might not have accomplished53 this so readily, had not the attention of the snake been occupied by the children, thus throwing it off its guard.
Having succeeded in seizing the reptile, the bird rose nearly in a vertical17 direction to a height of many yards, and then opening his beak permitted the serpent to fall to the ground. His object was to stun54 the latter by the fall; and the more effectually to do this, he would have carried the cobra still higher, had not the latter prevented it by attempting to coil itself around his wings.
Upon letting fall his prey the serpent-eater did not remain in the air. On the contrary, he darted after the falling reptile, and the moment the latter touched the ground, and before it could put itself in an attitude of defence, the bird “pounced” upon it with spread foot, striking it a violent blow near the neck. The snake was still but slightly damaged, and throwing itself into a coil stood upon its defence. Its mouth was opened to its widest extent, its tongue protruded55, its fangs were erect10, and its eyes flashing with rage and poison. A terrible antagonist56 it appeared, and for a moment the secretary seemed to think so, as he stood on the ground confronting it.
But the bird soon began to advance upon it for a renewal57 of the attack, though this advance was made in a cautious manner. With the pinions58 of one of his strong wings spread broadly out for a shield, he approached the reptile sideways, and, when near enough, suddenly wheeled, turning upon his leg as on a pivot59, and struck sharply out with his other wing. The blow was delivered with good effect. It reached the head of the snake, and seemed to stun it. Its neck drooped60, and the coils became loosened. Before it could recover itself it was once more in the beak of the serpent-eater, and trailing through the air.
This time the bird rose to a much greater height than before—as he was not hampered61 by the writhing62 of the serpent—and as before suffered the reptile to fall, and then darted suddenly after.
When the snake came to the ground a second time it lay for a moment stretched at full length, as if stunned63 or dead. It was not dead, however, and would once more have coiled itself; but, before it could do so, the bird had repeatedly “pounced” upon its neck with his spread and horny feet; and at length, watching his opportunity when the head of the serpent lay flat, he struck a blow with his sharp beak so violent, that it split the skull64 of the reptile in twain! Life was now extinct, and the hideous65 form, extended to its full length, lay lithe66 and motionless upon the grass.
Jan and Trüey clapped their hands, and uttered exclamations of joy.
The serpent-eater took no heed67 of their demonstrations, but, approaching the dead cobra, bent over it, and coolly set about making his dinner.
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1
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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8
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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11
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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12
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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13
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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14
saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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15
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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16
vertically
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| adv.垂直地 | |
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17
vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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18
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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19
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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20
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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21
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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weavers
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| 织工，编织者( weaver的名词复数 ) | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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scaly
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| adj.鱼鳞状的；干燥粗糙的 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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26
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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28
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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30
quill
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| n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶 | |
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31
naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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32
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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33
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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35
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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36
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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locusts
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| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
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38
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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39
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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40
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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41
gregarious
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| adj.群居的，喜好群居的 | |
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42
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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43
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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44
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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45
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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46
domesticated
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| adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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48
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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49
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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50
opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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51
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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52
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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53
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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54
stun
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| vt.打昏，使昏迷，使震惊，使惊叹 | |
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55
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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57
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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58
pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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59
pivot
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| v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的 | |
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60
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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63
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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64
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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65
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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66
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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67
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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