Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-01-11
THRILLING GAME OF WHIST.

We naQ Deen playing all the evening
at whist Our stakes had been golc
mohur points and twenty on the rubber
Maxey, who is always lucky, had wor
FIVE consecutive bumpers, which lent &
self satisfied smile to his countenance
and made us the losers, look any thing
but pleased, when he suddenly changed
countenance, and hesitated to play; thi:
the more surprised us, since he was one
who seldom pondered, being so perfectly
master of the game, that he deemed
long consideration superfuous.
"Play away, Maxey, what are you
about?" impatiently demanded Chur-
chill, one of the most impetuous youth:
that ever wore the uniform of body
guard.
''Hushl' responded Maxey, in tone
which thrilled through us, at the samt
time turning deadly pale.
care you unwell?" said another,
about to start up. for he believed oui
friend had suddenly been taken i'll.
"For the love of God sit quietl" re.
joined the other, in tone denoting ex
treme fear of pain, and he laid down his
cards. eff you make any sudden mo-
ton am dead man."
We exchanged looks. He continued
"Remain quiet, and all may be well,
l have Cobra Capella around my leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back
our chairs, but an appealing look from
the victim induced US to remain, al
though we were aware that should the
reptile transfer but one fold, and attach
b mself 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 there
forermore plainly felt every movement
of the snake. His countenance as
sumed lived hue, the words seemed to
leave his mouth without that feature al
tering his position, SO rigid was his look
so fearful was he lest the slightest
muscular movement 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; feel him cold-cold to my
limb; and now he tightensl-for the
love of Heaven call for some milkl-I
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 servant slipped out of the room.
"Don't stir;-Northcote, you moved
your head. By everything sacred l
conjure you not to move again. 1t can
not be long ere my fate is decided. l
have wife and three children in Europe;
tell them 1 died 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 l
feel his breath. Great Godl to die in
such manner"
The milk was brought and carefully
put down, few drops were sprinkled
on the floor, and the affrighted servant
drew back.
Again Maxey spoke.
"No--no! it has no effect; on the
contrary, he has clasped tighter-he has
uncurled his upper fold! dare not look
down, but 1 am sure he is about to
draw back and give me the bite Of
death with more precision. Receive
me, o Lord! and pardon me: my last
hour has comeP' Again he pauses.-
81 die frm;-but this is past endurance;
ah! no-he has undone another fold,
and loosens himself. Can he be going
to some one else?" We invoIuntarily
started. "For the love of Heaven, stir
notl-I am a dead man; but bear with
me! He still ioosens! he is about to
dart. Move not, but beware Churchill,
be falls off that way. Oh this agony is
too hard to bear. Another pressure,
and am dead. No, he relaxes!' At
that 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.
81 am saved!-saved-" and Maxey
bounded from the chair, and fell sense
less into the arms of one of his servants.
In another instant, need it be added, we
were dispersed; the snake was killed,
and our poor friend carried more dead
than alive to his room.
That scene l can never forget; it
dwells in my memory still, strengthened
by the fate of poor Maxey, who from
that hour pined in hopeless imbecility,
and sank into an early grave.
~Among other things to be desired