Full of terror , she made her way back to the bank , and called to the snake , ` My baby is gone ! -- he is drowned , and never shall I see him again . ' ` Go in once more , ' said the snake , ` and feel everywhere , even among the trees that have their roots in the water , lest perhaps he may be held fast there . ' Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand , even putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies , where a crab could hardly have taken shelter . ` No , he is not here , ' she cried . ` How am I to live without him ? ' But the snake took no notice , and only answered , ` Put in your other arm too . ' ` What is the use of that ? ' she asked , ` when it has no hand to feel with ? ' but all the same she did as she was bid , and in an instant the wounded arm touched something round and soft , lying between two stones in a clump of reeds . ` My baby , my baby ! ' she shouted , and lifted him up , merry and laughing , and not a bit hurt or frightened . ` Have you found him this time ? ' asked the snake . ` Yes , oh , yes ! ' she answered , ` and , why -- why -- I have got my hand back again ! ' and from sheer joy she burst into tears . The snake let her weep for a little while , and then he said -- ` Now we will journey on to my family , and we will all repay you for the kindness you showed to me . ' ` You have done more than enough in giving me back my hand , ' replied the girl ; but the snake only smiled . ` Be quick , lest the sun should set , ' he answered , and began to wriggle along so fast that the girl could hardly follow him .
By and bye they arrived at the house XXXXX a tree where the snake lived , when he was not travelling with his father and mother .
as between for from in into of than to with