Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-06-25

ENCOUNTERS WITu SERpENT:

From Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
ENCOUNTERS WITH SERPENTS.
In the vicinity Of the barracks assigned to the
European soldiers in India, there is usually num-
Der Of little solitary cells, where the disordery
members of the corps are confined for longer or
shorter terms by order Of the commanding officer
In one of these, at Madras on certain occasion.
was locked up poor Jock Hall, Scotchman, be.
longing to Edinburg or Leith. Jock had got in.
toxcuted and being found in that condition at the
hour Of drill was sentenced to eight days solitary
Imprisonment Soldiers in India, have their bed.
ding partly furnished by the Honorable Company.
and find the remainder Tor themselves About this
part of house furnishing however, Hall troubled
hmsefvery little, being one of those hardy, reck.
less beings, on whom prlvation and suffering seem
to make no impression. A hard floor was as good
as a down bed to Jock, and therefore, as he never
scrupled 10 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 stretch.
ed upon and under it one night in his cell during
his term Of pcnance, and possibly was rejecting
on the improperly Of in future putting an enemy
into his mouth to steal away his brains" when 10
he thought he heard rustling in his cell close by
him. At this moment he recollected that he had
not as he ought to have done, stopped up the air.
which entered the cell on level with its floor and
also with the rock externally, on which the buiG-
ing was placed. A strong suspicion of what had
happened, or was about to happen, came over Halls
mind, but he knew it was probably too late to do
any good could he even find The hole in the dark
ness and get it closed. lie therefore Law sill and
in minute or two heard another rustic close 70
lin, which was followed by the cold Shiny touch
Of a snake upon his bare foot Who IN such sit.
uation would not have started and bawled for helm :?
Jock did neither he iay stone still, and held Ills
peace, knowing that his cries would most probably
have been uDheard by the distant guard. Had his
bed clothes been more plentiful, he might have
endeavored to protect himself by Wrapping them
closely around him; but this their scantiness for
babe. Accordingly, being aware that, although
motion or touch will provoke snakes to bite. thew
will not generally do it without such excitement
Jock held himself as still log. Meanwhile
his horrible bed fellow, 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 iirmness of nerve, and the con-
seriousness that the moving of muscle would have
signed his death warrant, could have enabled the
poor fellow 10 undergo this dreadful trial. For
whole hour did the reptile crawl backwards and
forwards over Jocks body and face as if satisfying
itself, seemingly, that it had nothing TO fear from,
the recumbent object on its own part. At length
it took up position somewhat about its head aud
went to rest IN apparent security. The poor SOL
dier's trial, however, was not over. Till daylight
he remained in the same posture, flat on his back
without daring to stir limb, from the fear of dis
turbing his dangerous companion Never per
haps, was dawn anXiously looked for by mortal
man. When 1t did come, Jock cautiously looked
about him, arose noIselessy, and moved over 10 the
corner Of his cell, where there lay pretty large
stone. This he siezed, and looked for the intruder
Not seeing the SNAKE he became assured that it
was under his pillow. He raised the end of this
Just sufficient to get peep at the creatures crcs.
Jock then pressed his knee firmly on the pillow,
but allowed TIE snake to wrlngle out lis head
which he battered TO pieces with the stone. This
done, the courageous fellow for the first time
breathed freely.
When the honr of breakfast came, Jock, who
thought little about the matter after it was fairly
over, took the opportunity of the opening of the
door Of the cell, to throw the snake out When
the officer whose duty it was TO visit the cells
for the day was going his rounds, he perceived
crowd around the cell door examining the reptile
which was described by the natives as being of the
most venomous character, its bite being invariably
and rapidly mortal The officer, on being told that
it had been killed by man in the adjoining cell,
went in and inquired into the matter. "When did
you first know that there was snake in the cell
with your" said he. "About nine o'clock last
night" was jocks reply. "Why didn't you call 10
the guard ~ asked the officer. 81 thought the guard
wouldna hear Inc, and was feared ! might tramp
ont, SO just lay still" But you might have been
bit; did you know that you would have died in
stan:ly?" :" kent that very weel," said Hall; "but
they say that snakes Wilma meddle with YOU if ycu
Wilma NEEDLE with them; sac ! just let il crawl as
1t iikel." swell, my lad, believe you did what
was best after all, but, what one man in thousand
could not have DONE"
When the story was told, and the snake shown
to the commanding officer, he thought the same,
and jock tor his extraordinary nerve and courage,
got a remission Of mis- punishment For some time
at least, he took care how he got into such situa.
ton as to expose himself to the chance Of passing
another night with such bedleow.