SUCCESS!!!!
He totally nailed the first one. He ate it. I waited until he finished swallowing. i waited a little too long though and by the time i checked where he was he was back in his hide. but the second i opened the top to his enclosure he came out...just as i thought, i knew he was staying hungry after the first mouse.
actually it was more like he burst out! LOL! so i dropped the mouse in.
next thing i know i look and he's got the second rat constricted right by the entrance to his cold hide. i guess the mouse tried to hide and he wasn't fast enough. easily the proudest moment of my life.
i feel sorry for the mice, but hey, my snake has to eat.
thanks for the advice guys.