Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-08-11
SNAKES IN INDIA.

One evening I returned, more than ordi-
narily fatigued, to my bungalow, and hasten
ed to bed. was soon asleep, and, as usu-
al, was dreaming away of Europe and her
many charms. Suddenly | was awakened
by cold object resting on my arm. Invol-
unfairly raised my other arm towards it,
1t glided rapidly off, not however, till it had
inflicted its dreadful bite /; for plainly felt
the pain, which, though not acute, was sting
ing, resembling the punctua of hot instru-
ment. or sudden scald. The fact, however,
was obvious. l had been bitten, and was
probably dead man. uttered piercing
shrek, and sprang from my bed. rushed
towards my dressing table, and with cou-
rage that nothing but danger could have in
spired, seized one of my razors, and without
hesia,ion cut out the bitten part. actual
y scooped out piece nearly as large as a
nut. Then, with my arm bleeding in the
most dreadful manner, rushed towards the
lamp, and catching ii, burnt the lacerated
parts for several seconds. By this time seve-
raj of my servants had arrived, alarmed by
my cries. One FASTENED off Immediately
for our assistant surgeon, who lived only next
door, while the other began to question me
as to the cause of my alarm. In broken
sentences explained to them my situation.
They were Mortified. Whilst one poured
eau de luce into the dreadful selfinilicted
cash, the other prepared portion of the
same medicine, diluted in water, which
hastily swallowed. By this time was more
calm, and when Dr.. Sisson arrived, was
collected enough to view my situation with
becoming philosophy. Whilst he was dres-
sing my arm. and binding it up, took ad-
vantage of the silence, the awe of the mo-
menl, to signify to him my last wishes in case
of nv death. stated the manner in which
wished TO be buried, the style of letters
wished written to my relatives, the way in
which wished my little remaining property
to be disposed Of The doctor was almos
tempted to shed tears. The surrounding
kidtmufgars stood in the mute agony of woe
Sisson, however, hoped had cut deer
enough, and he assured me he thought the
virus had not had time TO enter the system
He, therefore, bade me hope for the best,an
all might yet go well. Let us at least, saiC
he conclusion, have the consolation of de
stroyng the reptile that has thus endangered
so"' ''S' AAS'S, IVY ''c"s "'''S cav" " so'
cane, and attack the monster together
The men ran out, and came back, each arm
ed with plant bamboo, single stroke o
which will Instantly kill the most dreadful
snake in India. 'And now surround the bed
the reptile cannot have got away. Cent
gently, keep your eye steadily fixed. II
must be under the pillow. Directly rails
it, be ready to strike. IIa there he is -
The servant at once struck at the obiec
pointed ont, and succeeded in killing IT,
They held i, up, when 10 it proved to be
poor little lizard, harmless animal, whic
beyond the blistering drop he had let fall up
on my arm, bears no venom. The docto
burst into roar of anghter-the black ras
Gals joined in it. The next week wa
, forced to get two months leave for wherev
r err appeared, with my arm in a sling, IN
dying words were quoted to me. In a wor
| was almost leased to death, merely because
when fancied had been bitten by snake
had chosen to take precautionary mea
Sures.'-HOurs in HmdOOstan.