Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-04-21
NO. 33.
HORRIBLE ADVENTURE.

l
| Extract of a letter from Kirkee. near
Poonah July stb, 1885, The writer hay-
ing been out shooting, lay down 10 rest I'M
der tree, when suddenly he was aroused
by the furious baying of his dogs. On
turning round, beheld snake of the cobra
di capella species, directing its course 10 a
point that would proximaie very close upon
my position IN an instant | was on my
leet The moment the reptile became aware
Of my presence, in nautical phraseology it
boldly brought TO, with expanded hood, eyes
sparkling, and neck beautifully arched, the
head raised nearly two feet from the ground,
and oscillating from side to side in manner
plainly indicative of resentful foe.
selzed the nearest weapon, short bamboo,
leit by one Of the bearers and hurled it at
my opponents head; was fortunate cnouys,
to hit 1t beneath the eye The reptile im-
medlately fell, and lay apparently lifeless--
Without moments reflection, | seized il a
little below the head, hauled it beneath the
shelter Of the tree, and very coolly sat down
to examine the mouth for the poisonous
langs, OF which naturalists speak so much.
While In the act of forcing the mouth open
with stalk, felt the head sliding through
my hand, and 10 my utter establishment be-
came aware that now had tocontend against
the most deadly of reptiles, in its full strength
and vigor. Indeed was in moment con-
yinced of it, for as frightened nv hold of
the throat, its body became wreathed round
my neck and arm.
III the reader is aware of the universal
dread in which the cobra di capella is held
throughout India, and the almost instant
death which invaribly follows its bite, he
Will IN some degree be able to imagine
what my feelings were at the moment; a
faint disgusting sickness pervaded nv whole
frame, as felt the clammy fold of the rep
tile lightning round my neck. | still held
the throat, but TO holdnnuch longer would
be impossible. Immediately beneath nv
grasp. there was an inward working aud
creeping Of the skin, which seemed 10 be
assisted by the very lirmness with which l
held Tiny had was gloved Finding, in
defiance OF my efforts that my hand was
each instant forced closer to my face, an idea
struck me that, were it in my power 10
transfix the mouth with some sharp ins,ru-
ment it would prevent the reptile from using
his fangs, should it escape my hold. NV
gun lay at my feet. the ramrod appeared to
be the very thing required. which, with
some dfficulty, succeeded in drawing out,
having only one hand disengaged. NV
right arm was now trembling from over ex-
ertion, and my hold becoming less firm,
when happily succeeded in passing the rod
through the lower jaw up 10 its center 1t
was not without considerable hesitation tina,
let go my hold of the throat, and seized
the rod in both hands, at the same time
by bringing them over my head with sud-
den jerk, disengaged the fold from nv
neck, which had latterly become almost
tight enough to produce strangulation.
There was then little difficulty in freeing
my right arm, and ultimately to throw the
reptile from me 10 the earth, where it contin-
ued to twist and writhe itself into thous-
and contouions Of rage and agony. To run
10 neighboring stream. to lave my neck.
hands, and face in its cooling waters, was
my first act after despatchng my formidable
enemy. This concludes a true, though
plainly told tale. AS a moral It may prove.
hat when man is possessed of determine
lion, GOODNESS, and energy, combined with
reason, he will generally come off triumph
ant, though he may have to circumvent the
subtlety OF the snake, or combat the lerocily
Of the tiger