The native American., 1840-01-25
A DREADFUL NIGHT.

| In the vicinity Of The barracks assigned to the
European soldiers in India, there are usually
number Of little solitary buildings or cells, where
the mere disorderly members Of the corps are
confined TO: longer or shorter terms, BY order
Of thp commanding officer In one Of these on
a certain occasion, was locke up poor Jock Hal, ,
a Scotsman belonging to Edingburgh or l.aith.
Jock had got intoxicated and being found in that
position at the hour Of drill, was sentenced to
eight days solitary Imprisonment. Soldiers in In
da have their bedding partly furnished by the
Hon. Company, and find the remainder for them
selves. About this part Of house furnishing,
however, Jock Hall troubled himself very little,
being one Of those hardy, reckless beings on
whom privation and suffering make no impress
sion. \ hard floor good as Il down bed
to Jock ; and therefore, as he never scrupled to
sell what he got it may be supposed that his
sleeping furniture was none of the most abundant
or select. Such as it was he was stretched upon
and under it one night in his cell, during his
term Of penance, and possibly was rejecting on
the improperly Of in future putting an enemy
into his mouth to steal away his briins,' when,
10 he thought he heard rusting in the cell,
close by him. At this moment he recoliectpd
that he had not, as he oua ht to have done stopped
mp an air hole, which entered the cell on level
with its floor; and also with the rock externally,
on which ,he building was planted. A strong
suspicion of what had happened, or was abou,
to happen came over Halls mind but he knew
It was probably too late to do any good, could he
even fad The hole in the darkness, and get it
closed. He therefore lay still, and in minute
or two heard another rustic close TO him. which
was followed by the cold Shiny tonch Ola snake
upon his bare foot Who in such situation
would not have started and bawIed for help
Jock did neither; he lay stone still, and held
his peace knowing that his cries would most
probably have been unhtard BY the distant
guard. Had his bed d-clothes been more plentifu,
he might have endeavored to protect himself bv
wrapping them closely around him, but this
their scantncss forbade. Accordingly, being a
ware that, althougha motion or touch will pro-
woke snakes to bite, they will not generally do it
without such incitcment, Jock held himself as
still as if he had been log Meanwhile his
horrible bedfcow which he at once felt to be Of
great size, crept over his feet, legs and BODY.
and lastly, over his very face. Nothing but the
most astonishing lirmness of nerve, and the con-
sciousness that the moving ofmuscle would have
signed his death warrant, could have enabled
the poor fellow to undergo this dreadful trial.
For IA whole hour did the reptile crawl back.
wards aud forwards over Jocks body and face,
as ii satisfying itself seemingly, that it had no.
thing to fear from the recunbent object on its
own part At length it took up position some
where about his head, and went to rest in appa-
rent security. The poor soldiers trial, howev-
er, was not over. TIL daylight he remained in
the same posture, hat on his back, without ,lar-
ing to stir limb, from the fear Of disturbing his
dangerous companion. Never, perhaps, was
d wn o anxious Ionscd for bs mortal man. w hen
II did come, jock cautiously looked around him,
arose noiselessly, and moved over to the corner
# his cell, where there lay pretty large stone
Ths he seized, and looked about for the intruder.
Not seeing the snake he became assured that it
was under hi pillow He raised the end of this
just sufficiently to get a peep at the creatures
crest. Jock then pressed his knee firmly on the
pillow, bnt allowed the snake to wriggIe out its
head which lie battered to pieces with the stone.
This done, the courageous fellow for the first
timr breathed freely. When the hour for break
tast came, jock, who thought little about the
matter after it was frirly over, took the opportu-
nitS Of the opening Of the door 10 throw the
snake out. When the officer whose duty it was
to visit the cells forthe day. was going his rounds
he perceived a crowd round the cell door exam
iuing the reptile, which was described b. the
natives as OF the most vcWomous character, its
bite being invariably and rapidly mortal. The
officer, on being told that it had been He'd BY
man in the adjoining cell, in, and inquired
into tn: matter. When did you first know
that there was snake in the cell with you''
said he. About nine o'clock last nipbt' was