Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-08-19
EAST INDIA-A THRlLLlSG skE1Cu

EASl lNDIA--A THRILLING SkEl Gil.
we had been playing all evening at
WHIST. Our stake had been gold mohur
points, and twenty on the rubber. Max
ey, who IS always lucky, had won five
consecutive bumpers, which left self.
satisfied smile on his countenance. and
made US, The losers, look any thing bu,
pleased, when he suddenly changed coun-
tenance, and hesitated to play this the
more surprised us, since he was one who
seldom pondered, being so perfectly mas
ter of the game, that he deemed long con-
sideratou superiluous.
PLAY away, Maxey; what are you
abou, :" impatiently demanded Churchill,
one Of the most impetuous youths that
ever wore the uniform Of the body guard.
! " Hush :" responded Maxey, in tone
which thrilled through Us, al the same
time turning deadly pale.
" Are you unwell 7" said another, a.
bout TO start up, for he belived our friend
had been suddenly taken i'll.
" For the love of peace sit quiet - re-
joined the other, in tone d noting ex-
treme fear or pain, and he laid down his
cards. elf you value my life move not.
"What can he mean has he taken
leave of his senses 7" said Churchill ap.
pealing to myself.
| "Don't start don't move, tell you ~
in a sort of whisper never car forget, ut.
tered Maxey. "lf you move any sudden
motion, am dead man -
We exchanged looks. He continued:
" Remain quiet, and all may yet be
well, | have a Cobra Capclla round my
| feet"
Our frs. impulse was to draw back our
chairs; but an appealing look from the
victim induced us to remain, although we
were aware that should the reptile but
| transfer one fold, and attach himself to
any other Of the party, that individual
might already be counted as dead man,
SO fatal the bite of that dreadful mon.
Ster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old
residents still dress in India-nameiy in
breeches and silk stockings he therefore
the moro plainly felt every movement of
the snake, His countenancc assumed a
livid hue; the words seemed to leave the
mouth without that feature altering its
position, so rigid was his look--so fearful
that tho slightest muscular movement
should alarm the serpent, and hasten his
| fatal bite.
We were in agony little less than his
own during the scene.
He is coiling round" murmurcd
Mickey {" feel him cold-cold to my
limb; and now he tigh.ens for the love
Of heaven call for some milk ~ dare not
speak loud; let it be placed on the ground
near me- let some be split on the floor"
Churchill cautiously gave tho order,
and servant slipt out OF the room.
Don't STIR; Northco;o you moved
your head. BY every thing sacred,
conjure you not to do so again Ii can
not DO long ere my fate is decided. |
have wife and two children in Europe,
tell them that died blessing them; the
snake is winding itself around my calf
| leave them all possess. can almost
fancy ] fell his breath, Great Heaven 10
die in such manner ~
The milk was brought, and carefully
put down, few drops were sprinkled on
the floor, and the aff'rigIted servant drew
back.
Again Maxey spoke:
| Mono it has no effect! on the con.
trary he has clasped himself tighter-he
has uncurled his upper fold dare not
look down, but am sure he is about to
draw back, and give the bite of death,
with more fatal precision. Again he
pnuses. die firm, but this is past ell.
durance-ah no---he has undone another
fold, and loosens himself. Can he be GO
ing to some one else - We involuntari.
y started. "For the sake of Heaven,
stir not - / am a dead man bear with
me. He still loosens-hc is about to dart!
move not, but beware! Churchill he
falls off that way. Oh! this agony is too
hard to bear Another pressure and
am dead" At that moment poor Maxey
ventured to look down; the snake had
unwound himself; the last coil had ialleE,
and the reptile was making for the milk.
:" am saved--saved !" and Maxey
bounded from his chair, and fell senseless
into the arms OF one of his servapts. The
snake was killed and our poor friend car.
ricd more dead than alive to his room.