Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-06-08
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! FIFTH AT WHIST.

We had been playing all the evening at whist.
Our stakes had been gold mohur points, and
twenty to The rubber. Maxey who is always
lucky, had won five successive bumpers which
lent satisfaction to his countenance, and
made us, fhe loosers, looking any thing but
pleased, when he suddenly changed counter
ance, and hestated to play; this the more
surprised us. since he was one that seldom
pondered being so perfectly master of the
game that he deemed long consideration SUI
perAuous.I
play away, Maxey; what are you about?"
impatiently demanded Churchill, one of the
most impetuous youths that ever wore the u
inform OF the body guard.
'sHush, responded Maxey, in tone which
thrilled through US, at the same time turning
deadly pale.
You are unweIl - said another, about to
start up, for he believed our friend had sud
denly been taken i'll.
'sFor the love Of peace, sit quiet - rejoin-
III the other, in a tone denoting extreme pain
ar fear, and he laid down his cards. s.If YOU
value my life, move not"
'sWhat can he mean has he taken leave
Of his senses - demanded Churchill, appeal
ng to himself
Don't start don't move, tell you!' in
4 sort of whisper | never can forget, uttered
Maxey-'.If you make a sudden motion am
dead man -
We exchanged looks. He continued, ''re-
main quiet, and all may yet be well. l have
Cobra Capella round my leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs, but appealing look from the victim
induced Us to remain, although we Were
ware that should the reptile transfer but one
old, and attach himself to any Of the party,
That individual might already be counted as
lead man, 50 fatal Is the bite Of the deadly
monster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old res
ldents stilldress in India namely, IN breech-
Is and silk stockings he therefore the more
plainly felt every movement of the snake
lis couutenance assumed a 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 has
ten the fatal bite. We were In agony little
less than his own during the scene.
lie IS coiling round ~ murmured Maxey,
II feel him cold, cold to my limb; and now
he tightens for the love OF Heaven call fol
some milk II dare not speak loud; let it be
placed on the ground near me- let some be
split on the floor
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and
aservaut slipped out of the room.
Don't stir ;-Northcote, you moved your
head. By everything sacred, | conJure you
do not 50 again 1t cannot be long ere my
fate is decided. have a wife and two chill
drea in Europe; tell them that die blessing
them; that my last prayers were for them !;
the. snake Is winding itself round my calf;
leave them all possess-I can almost fancy
feel his breath-Great Heavens 10 die in
such manner!" The milk was brought and
carefully put down, Q few drops we've sprinkIed
on the floor, and the afrighted servants drew
back.
Again Maxey spoke -
"No-nol it has no effect no the con-
trary, lie has elasped himself tighter-he has
uncuried his upper fold! | dare not look
down, bur | am sure he is about TO draw back,
and give the bite Of death with more fatal pre-
cision.H -Again lac paused. / die firm; bat
this is past endurance ali! no-he has IN
done another fold, and ioosens himself. Can
he be going to some one else - We iovlun-
tarily started "Eor the love of Heaven stir
not. | am dead mau, but bear with me
lie still loosens-he is about to dart ! Move
not, but beware Churchill, he falls off that
vay-Oh. this agony is to hard to bear An
other pressure and | am dead MOI he re-
lakes II At that moment poor Maxev ven
tured TO look down; and the snake had un-
wound himself; the last coil had fallen, and
the reptile was making for the milk.
4 am saved saved - and Maxey bound
ed from his chair, and fell senseless into the
arms of one of his servants.
Ia another instant, need it be added we
were all dispersed; the snake was killed. and
our poor friend carried more dead than alive
to his room.
That scene can never forget: If dwell.
on my memory still, strengthened bv the fate
Of poor Maxey, who from that hour mined
IN hopeless imbecility, and sunk into an ear
" gvave.--Fr0m Hours IN Hfndosfan.