Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-06-08
ATTACK OF THE BOA CONSTRUCTOR.
BY MRS. ANN 8. STEPHENS

BY MRS. ANN 8. STEPHENS
A cloud Of gorgeous light flashed ovcl
the sky, spread upward and abroad, and
for moment, the rich coors of an Eastern
sunrise pictured themselves upon the horl
ION like an arch Of fretted gold and pow
dered gems, broken and irregular-now
standing out in abutments Of fiery light or
sinking back TO the depth of the sky in
caves of crimson, purple and pale violet,
then flinging up turrets of amber and soft
rose color to the zenith and at last melting
away in sea of sheet gold as the sun rose
from behind the green trees Of Hindostan.
1t was the hour of worship; the dawn had
scarcely broken over the Gauges when the
snowy temples and picturesque mosques
which stood bedded in the foliage, and
crowded the rocks which shot over the
stream with their drapery Of creeping vines,
were flung open. From every easement
and fairy lattice were lavished forth show
ers Of lotus blossoms, with glossy green
leaves and buds full of odor, the Brahmins'
tribute to the holy waters, till the river,
from shore to shore, seemed bursting Into
blossom beneath the warm sunshine
While the crested waves were troopiDg
forward like crowds Of bright winged
spirits sporting and rejoicing together
among the blossoms thus lavshed upon
them, a budgero or state barge, followed
by a train OF baggage boats, shot out from
the shadow Of q grove Of bantam trees, and
with it's silken penants streaming to the
. morning air made lis way up the stream.
1t was a princely sight-lhat long, slender
boat-as it flashed out into the broad sun
shine-its glded Prov curving gracefully
up from the water in form Of peacock
with FURNISHED wings, jewelled crest and
p neck Of scaly gold-thc sides swelling
gently out at the bows and slopng away
to the e,ern, till they met in two gIlded
horns of exquisite workmanship, the small
or ends twisted together and forming the
extreme point Of the boat. The rose col
ored mouth curved gently outward from
which hoard Of fruit, colored and carved
to a perfect semblance Of nature. seemed
bursting away over the foaming waters as
she Gu, her path gracefully through them,
leaving long wreath of foam, curling and
flashing in her track. In The broadcast part
of The deck stood small pavilion, its dome
paved with mother Of pearl and studded
with precious stones; its pillars of futed
ivory half hidden by a rich drapery Of
orange and azure silk, fringed and festoon
ed to the fretwork of the dome, with ropes
Of heavy silk twisted and tasseled with
silver.
Within the pavilion, on carpet glow.
ing with rich dies of Persia, half sat, halt
reclned, an elderly native, robed in all the
splendor Of on oriental prince, with his
eyes half closed and apparently dropping
into a quiet slumber. The mouth piece oil
his hooka lay idly between his thin lips, its
jewelled lengths glittered against his sllken
vest and burst away coil after coil, like
serpent writing ina bed Of flowers, Till ii
ended in bowl Of burning opal stone, from
which q wreath Of perfumed smoke stole
languidy upward and hoated among the
azure drapery like clouds moving in the
depths Of summer sky. Directly opposite
on pile OF orange co'ored cushions, lay fe
male, young and beautiful as a houri. He
robe OF India muslin. starred and spotted
with gold, was open in front, be;raying 6
neck of perfect beauty and but half conceal
ing the graceful outline of her person; bel
bright hair was banded back from he
forehead, with a string of orient pearl:
and fell over the slken cushions in multi
tude oflong black braid, so long as almos
TO reach her feet while she retained he
reclining position. She had the full large
eve of her fiery cline, long cut and full 0
brightness. but shaded with heavy, silkel
lashes, which lent them Ianguishing on
almost sleepy sofincss. A smile was con
tinually melting over her full, red lips, an
the whole expression of her face was one @
mingled softness and energy. Behind he
cushion stood a youth OF slender, activ
form with high finely moulded forehead
and eyes kindling with The fire Of prou
but restrained spirit. YET, though his POI
was almost regal, and his bearing princely
he was in the humble costume of q Hlndo
slave. The hand which should have bee
familiar with the sabre hit. was occuple
in waving fan Of gorgeous feathers abov
the reclining princess.
Occasionally, when the fair girl wou|
close her eyes as il luled to sleep by til
musical dipping Of the oars, he would Fl
those expressive eyes upon her as the dew
tee dwells upon the form of his idol. TIT
bold mental had dared to look upon I'll
lovciest maiden and the ofliest princess
all Hlndostan, with eyes Of love. An
she; the brightest star Of her father
court, tho affianced bride Of prince, ,
proud and as wealthy as her own Taught
sire.- had she forgotten her lofty caste
lavish her regard on the person of slave
Those who had looked upon the expressc
, OF those soft eyes, enclosing beneath b
passionate gaze, as the starry blossom
open to the sunbeams, might have read q
answer which spoke much for the warn
hearted woman, but little for the d'gn
Of regal birth.
The old Rajah, as he reclined, oppuren
ly half asleep, marked the mingled gIanc
ofthe youthful pair, and a wicked, Graf
expression stole over his face a lg
\ CLEANED out from his half open eyes, wifi