Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-10-06
EVENING STAR.
A FIFTH ar WHIST.


whist. Our stake had been gold mohur
points, and twenty on therubber. MaIey,
who is always lucky, had won five con-
secutive bumpers, which lent self-sat-
isfied smile to his countenance, and made
us, the losers, look anything but pleased,
when he suddenly changed countenance,
and hesitated to play this the more
surprised us, since he was one who sell
dom pondered, being SO perfectly master
of the game that be deemed long consid-
Grafton superfuous.
PLAY away, Maxey what are you
about z" impetuOusly demanded Church
Ill, one of the most impetuous youths
that ever wore the uniform of the body
guards.
Hush ~ responded Maxey, in a tone
which thrilled through US, at the same
time turning deadly pale.
Are you unwelly'' said another,
about to start up, for he believed our
friend had suddenly been taken ill.
For the love of God sit quiet" re-
joined the other, in tone denoting ex
treme fear of pain. and he laid down his
cards. If you value my life, move
not"
What can he mean haas he taken
leave of his seases 2" demanded Church
ill, appealing to myself.
Don't start, don't move l tell you ~
in sort of whisper / never can forget,
uttered Maxey. "f you make any sud-
den movement, I'm dead man."
We exchanged looks. He continued -
Remain quiet, and ali may yet be
well. / have cobra capella round my
leg"'
Our first impulse was to draw back
our chairs but an appealing look from
tie victim induced rs to remain, although
we were aware that should the reptile
transfer but one fold, and attach himself
to any other of the party, that individual
might already be counted as dead
man, so fatal is the bite of that dreaded
monster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old
residents still dress in India-namely, in
breeches and silk stockings he therefore
the more plainly felt every movement of
the snake. His countenance assumed a
liTid hue; the words seemed to leave his
mouth without that feature altering it's
position-so rigid was his look, so fearful
was be lest the slightest muscular move
ment 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" murmured
Maxey Il feel him sold-cold to my
limb; and now he tightens. For the
love of heaven call for some milk dare
| not speak loud; let it be placed on the
ground near me, and let some be split on
the floor"
Churchill cautiously gave the order.
shd servant slipped noiselessly out of
| the room.
Don't stir-Northcote, you moved
your head. By everything sacred con-
iure vou do not do SO again! 1t cannot
be long ere my fate is decided. | have q
wife and two children in, Europe: tell
them l died blessing them--that my last
prayers were for them the snake is
winding itself round my calf u leave
them all | possess-I can almost fancy
feel his breath. Great God to die in
such a manner - .......
The milk was brought, and carefully
put down: a few drops were sprinkled
on the floor, and the affrighted servants
idrew back.
Again Maxey spoke. e-.-
mo, no, it has no effect on the con
trarr, he has clasped himself tighter-he
has uncurled his upper fold! L dare not
lock down, but | am sure he is about to
draw back and give me the bite of death
with more fatal precision. Receive me,
o Lord. and pardon me: my last hour
is come! Again he pauses. die firm :
but this is past endurance; ah, no-he
has undone another fold, and loosens
himself Can he be going to some one
| elSc!'
| We Involuntary started.
For the love of heaven stir not-I IA
dead man-but bear with me. He still
loosens-he 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. No.
he relaxes.."
At that moment poor Maxy ventured to
look down; the snake had unwound
himself; the last coil had fallen. and the
reptile was making for the milk.
/" am saved saved :" and MaIey
bounded from his chair, and fell 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 poor friend carried more dead
than alive tn his roOm
That scene l can never forget: it dwells
on my memsry still, strengthened by
the fate of poor Maxey, who from that
hour pined in hopeless imbecility. and
sank into an early grave.