The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-07-26

+ OF tne love OF peace, SIT quiet! re-
joined the other, in tone denoting ex-
treme fear or pain, and he laid down his
card. Ify you value my life, move not
.What can it mean!-has he taken leave
of his senses!' demanded Churchill, ap-
pealing to himself.
Don't start?-don't move, tell your
altered Maxey-sIf you make any sudden
motion, am dead man. We exchang-
ed looks. He continued, srernain quiet,
and all may yet be we'll. have cobra
capella around my leg
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs. but appealing look from the VIC
tim induced us TO remain, although we
were aware that should the reptile transfer
but one fold and attach himself to any of
the party, that individual might already be
counted as dead man, SO fatal is the bite
of the deadly monster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old
residents still dress in India--in breeches
and silk stockings; he therefore the more
plainly felt every slight movement of the
snake. His countenance assumed livid
hue; the words seemed to leave his mouth
without that feature altering its position,
SO rigid was his look, SO fearful was he lest
the slightest movement should alarm the
serpent and hasten the fatal bite. We
were in agony little less than his own du-
ring the scene.
sHe is coiing round!' murmured Max
ey. Il feel him cold-cold to my limb;
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 tioor.
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and
sersani slipped out of the room.
Don't stir: Northcote, you moved your
head. By every thing sacred l conjure
you do not move again! II lcannot be long
ere my fate is decided. have wife and
two children in Europe; tell them that |
die blessing. them; the snake is winding
around my calf leave them all pos
sess-I can almost fancy l feel his breath
great heaven! to die in such mannerp
The milk was brought and carefully put
downs a few drops were sp7inkled on the
floor, and the afrighted servants drew
back.
Again Maxey spoke
g.No-no! 1t 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 pauses.
die firm; but this is past endurance; ah!
no-he has undone another fold and loos-
ems himself. Can he be going to some
one else! We involuntarily started. For
the love of heaven, stir not! ! am dead
man; but bear with me. He still loosens
he is about to dart. Churchill, he falls
off that way-oh this agony is TOO hard to
bear! Another pressure, and am dead!
No, he relaxes!' At this moment poor
Maxey ventured to look down-the snake
had unwound himself-the last coil had
fallen, and the reptile was making for the
milk.
Il am saved! am saved! said Maxey,
bounding from his chair, and falling sense
less into the arms of one of his servants.
In another instant, need it be added, we
were all DISPERSED; the snake was killed,
and our friend was carried more dead than
alive to his room.
This scene | can never forget-it dwells
on my memory still, strengthed by the fate
of poor Maxey, who from that hour, pined
in hopeless imbecility, and sunk into an
early grave.-"H Hours IN Hn,dostae."