Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-13
THE PARIAH,S REVENGE.
ICoNCLUDED.I

sist In calling Winter, because it extends from
October to March, and their Christmas dinners
come off in the midst OF it. Intervening be-
tween the time of rain and the fierce heat. it
seems the natural season for travelling but
by those many casualties which beset the go
ings forth Of the ladies--who will take every
thing with them, as well rs maids and children
the judges spouse, for he himself, good man.
stayed at home in hot Calcutta, found it i'm
possible to set out so early as she had intended
but as she travelled in the most expeditions
manner. by boat and palanauin il was hoped
the family would reach Agra before the regu-
lar deluge set in. Meantime, my commission
TO paint the children had widened to q family
group. Somebody had suggested that the mo-
ment of arrival would be the most striking
scene; and as it was necessary to witness the
ceremony before transferring it to canvas /
was bound to be at the Jscksons' bungalow
IN good time on the day the visitors we're
expected. Having English patrons to deal
with, was punctual. Mrs Lester and COM
paDy were due early in the afternoon, and
the house was on the 9ut UtUe for hours but
there was no arrival. Toward evening, the
rain, which had fallen in occasional showers
for some days, as il does at the beginning of
its season, came down in good earnest, with a
tsg-end Of a thunder storm, which we heard
tar to the southwark, and the Jacksons COM
fOrted themselves with the hope that the trav-
elers had taken refuge in some tomb or ruin,
OF which there was no lack on their way. and
should come on as soon as the storm ceased and
the moon rose. II hsd been arranged that 1
should remain till the picture was finished and
q painting room assigned to me accordingly,
situated in a sort of wing which Mr. jackson
predecessor had built for a ball room but the
JacksOns being quiet people who gave no balls,
bad divided 1t into three, by partitions of In
dian mating. The central division. was my
painting room, rather better lighted than any
artist would desire by two windows looking
into the garden to the right was my bed broom,
and on the left spare apartment, considered
the coolest In the house, and. therefore, intend
ed for the much-regarded twins. Partitions of
Indian mating, though cheap and mOyeable;
have two great taults-namely, that they allow
sounds to pass readily, and are apt to show
minute crevices when they get dry. / WAS
standing close by the one which divided mine
from the children's room, putting my color box
In order by the last light Of day, and the In
dian night gives short warming, when, through
the heavy rain, which was coming down in
water spouts, there came a sort of half hiss.
half whisper, the queerest sound that ever
struck my ear. was born in France and
there was q crevice within reach of my eye =
What need of further apology There was
Zelle, alone, and all wet, as if she had Just
crept in through the window, which stood open,
like a large green ball, which she carefully
tucked in under the bolster of the bed Which
OF her duties the trusted maid had come to
perform go stealthily, could not guess but
she stepped out Of the window, and closed it
behind her 90 swiftly and silently, that could
scarcely believe my eyes when saw her glide
away into the verandah.
The rain continued and the travellers did
net come. Mrs. Jackson hoped they had stop
ped for that day with some Of the many friends
they bad on the road, and the family retired to
rest at the usual hour. But the dry season
makes creyices in roofs as well as in partitions;
the rain had found one just above my bed and
poured In In such torrent, that before it was
discovered, the chamber was perfectly unin-
hsbltabls My good hostess, however, request
ed that would occupy the children room for
the night, and 1 had installed myself there
with candle and writing case, in order to write
letters which were justly due to sundry CORES
pondents, for was not inclined to sleep.
The whole house was silent. II was near
midnight, and | was halfway in a letter to
Armandine-we were friends then-when
slight rustic made me look up, and there stood
Zelie as erect and composed rs if she had come
tor one of the oft-mentioned tracts.
"Saib," said she, there's a cobra in your
bed smelled it as passed your door for my
family were serpent-ehsrmers. What will you
give me if | take it awayI''
How did 1t come there ?'' said l. pretend
ing to write on, thoug b my pen was making
cObras on the paper, for the green ball had
seen taken out vi the basket recurred to nv
memory, and L knew the said serpent to be one
Of the most deadly of its kind The Portu-
guese settlers call it the capelo or hooded
snake, by which name it is known in Europe
but 1t had obviously not been placed under the
bolster for me; and as Zelle replied quite in
nOcentiy:
AZ don't know, saib," my resolution was
taken, though 1t WAS certainly not the best
policy.
I'm give You half q rupee" said I; and
with quiet gesture of assent to the bargain
Zelle approached the bed, turned up the boil
ster, and without haste fear, lifted out the
deadly thing, cOiled up exactly as she laid it
in; and, may be forgiven, but half wished
ii would bite her. Nothing of the kind hap-
pened to Mrs Jackson's maid she laid the
cobra carefully into her muslin apron, opened
the window and stepped out into the garden
The rain had ceased, and the moon was shining
/ saw her 60 down the walk straight to the
outer gate. She opened it too, and followed
her; but long before l could reach the gate, il
was locked behind her, and the girl was out of
sight L returned TO my writing-table, certain
that she would come back for the half rupee :;
and in less than half an hour back Zelle came
by the very way she went, and calmly closed
the window, saying:
Now, Saib, thu cObras at home with his
friends, and has promised never to come near
your bed again.
Very we'll, Zelle,' said /, getting between
her and the door . have promised you q
half rupee, and will give it to you, but saw
you put that cobra In the bed this evening. Ii
you tell me why you did so, will not mention
1t 70 any u the family till you are two day 9
safe out of the house; and if you do not / will
rouse them all, and tell them this instant"
Zslle looked to see whether there was any
way Of escape; but had my eye on the win
dow; then her face took the fixed, stony look
Of the Eastern, whe knows his destiny is not
propitiOus.
. Saib, said she, Il put il there to kill the
Judge children. Ny mother sent it TO me. to
be rsyengel on this family for all the evil they
have done to ours. Listen, and will tell YOU
the truth, for you do not come from England.
My father was q B-ahmin, and Zemindar /;
he inherited his land by adoption into the
family of our ancient neghbor Guzroo, and
the Ssib Lester, who then gave law in Agra.
took it from him. saying he had no right, and
It belonged 20 the Company. 1t had always
been the custom TO rear but one daughter in
our house, and in due time that daughter was