In the end the python obligingly solved the riddle by committing sui. Gliding to the starboard side it slid gradually down, coiled itself round the rail of the lower bridge, and then continued its downward course until its head was close to the waves. Suddenly raising itself, it made an attempt to Yegain the bridge, but the upward climb was too steep. Its hold on the bridge rail suddenly relaxed, and the monster disappeared into the sea.
Thus ended the adventure. The other python still sleeps in its little box on the bridge, rather more securely imprisoned than its lave lamented brother. But perhaps not to be implicitly trusted. The wiles of the serpent are proverbial, and the Captain might be well advised to hand the thing over to the Purser and ask him to put it in the safe.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.