Excerpt



Tonys eyes were pleading by now.

We got to do this together Dan said, trying to keep his voice as calm as possible for Tonys sake. If he strikes at the pole I am going to flip the tarp off of you and you get the hell up as quick as you can and move away from there. Got it?

Tony answered again with his eyes. He could hear the gentle hiss of the snake just inches from his ear.

Dan reached down and felt for the pole without taking his eyes from the snake. As his hands touched it he then grasped it tightly and moved the pole to the outside of the boat. Then inch by inch moved it forward until it was straight across from the viper whose eyes had picked up the motion and its head was coming up turning towards the pole. It was working. To get its body in a position to strike the snake was moving slowly out from under the tarp and onto an area along side Tony.

Get ready partner Dan whispered and then moved the pole towards the vipers head, the snake coiled suddenly and struck like lightning. Now Dan yelled. As the snake struck at the pole, Dan yanked the tarp off of Tony and swung the snake out over the side of the boat, its fangs hung up in the wood.

While Dan beat the pole on the water trying to shake loose the snake, Tony was trying to get up; his legs had fallen asleep from being locked in the same position for so long. Half crawling, half standing, his voice racked with violent sobs and screaming obscenities Tony reach for his rifle. Then staggering to his feet he cocked his rifle firing at the snake in the water. You bastards you bastards he screamed. Then after hitting his target he swung the gun towards the trees and began firing into the branches. Ill kill you, Ill kill you son of a bitches, Ill kill all of you.

Dan looked up at Tony and he knew he had lost it. The bullets ripping through the trees and the sound of the gun shots had turned the jungle into a roar of birds wings as they took flight. The sight of the snake floundering in the water had also excited the water dwellers. As Dan watched he could see the body of a Croc moving out from under the trees as it slowly approached the snake looking for a meal. Just as the Croc closed in on it, took it in its mouth and clamped its jaws down, Tony saw it also. You to you bastard, Ill kill you also Tony said, swinging the gun in line with the Croc and firing again, once, twice, three times, each bullet striking its mark.

Tonys wild movements were rocking the boat violently as Dan tried to reason with him. Put it down Tony; put the God damn gun down. Youre going to dump us out of this boat if you dont stop. Its over; lets get the hell out of here, now! Dan said, grabbing both sides of the boat trying to stabilize it from Tonys actions.

As Tonys shots hit the Croc it rolled in the water. Wounded and hurt it began to thrash about causing waves that also slammed against the side of the boat moving it more. The hurt Croc had excited more of its own kind as two more of them moved out from under the trees, moving swiftly towards the wounded Croc that was still rolling in the water. The Crocs had but one thing on their mind now; this was a food source. Attack and kill the hurt or sick, even if it was one of their own kind. Only the strong and healthy could survive in the jungle, anything less would perish.

Dan tried to get up and still keep the boat steady. He could see Tonys eyes were wild with fear as he reached out to try and grab the rifle from his hands. Come on damn it, give me the rifle. You cant kill em all Tony. Slow down partner, its over.

Tony looked down just as Dan reached for the rifle and pulled back abruptly. Screw you, you righteous bastard or Ill kill you to Tony said, as he stepped backwards in the boat.

As Tony pulled away from him, Dan sat back down catching a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye coming from the far side of the boat. By this time the two Crocs had attacked the wounded one and they were tearing at him while rolling in the water. The river had begun to turn white with froth from the action and this had triggered more activity from the other animals.

Dan hoped what he thought he saw wasnt true, but it was. Just as he turned his head it was there. The large head of an Anaconda appeared alongside the boat. The snakes body, all twenty feet of it, was moving in the water as it raised its head and front section up over the side and started to slide into the boat.

Tonys eyes widened even more as he looked down and saw what was happening. As Tony swung the rifle around and aimed down at the snake, Dan started screaming at him.

Dont shoot, dont shoot. You may miss and sink the boat Dan yelled, reaching for his own pistol. Just as Dan said it, the snake while trying to raise its self even more had swayed it head and body towards where Tony was standing, striking him in the legs with a force that knocked him off balance.

This cant be happening Dan thought, as he saw Tony stumble backwards at the same moment he heard him scream. Then he watched in horror as Tony fell overboard into the water and disappeared from sight.