Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-08-31
In Oil Addisop,s Traits and Stories of Anglo

Indian life. lust issued in London, is curious
story of one of the authors experiences. zone
evening returned more than usually tatigued
70 nv bungalow, and fastened to my bed; L
was soon asleep, and, as usual, dreaming OF Eu-
rome and her charms. Suddenly was awaken
ed by cold object resting on my arm. lnyol-
UNFAIRLY raised my other arm towards it; 1t
glded rapidly otf-not, however, till it had
Inflicted its dreadful bite; for plainly felt the
pain, which though not acute, was singing, re-
sembling the puncture of hot instrument or
sudden scald. The fact, however, was obvious.
had been bitten by snake, and was probably
a dead man. sprang from my bed, rushed TO
my table, seized one of my razors, and without
hesitation cut out the bitten part. l actually
scooped out piece nearly as large as nut T;
then, with my arm bleeding protusely rush
ed towards the lamp and catching 1t up, burnt
the wounded part for several seconds. by this
time several of my servants had arrived, alarm
ed bv nv cries. One FASTENED off for our as
sistant surgeon, who lived next door, while the
others began to question me. In broken sen
fences explained to them my situation. They
were Mortified. While one poured eau de ttce
into the dreadful self-infcted cash, the Others
prepared portion of the same medicine diluted
in water, which hastily swallowed. BY this
time | was more calm, aud when Dr.. Lsson ar
rived | was collected enough to view my stua-
ton with becoming philosophy. While he was
dressing my arm and binding it up, took ad-
vantage of the silence and awe of the moment
to signify to him my last wishes in case OF my
death I stated the manner in which desired
to be buried, the style of letters | wished writ
ten to my relations, the way in which | wanted
my little remaining property to be disposed OF.
The doctor was tempted to shed tears. The
surrounding khitmutgars stood in mute agony
of woe. Iisson, however, hoped had cut deep
enough, and assured Inc he thought the virus
had not had time to enter the system. "Let us
at least" he said, "have the consolation OF des-
troying the reptile that has thus endangered
yonr life. Here my men, bring each a soft cane
and let us attack the monster together" The
men ran out and came back each armed with
plant bamboo, single stroke OF which will in
staptly kill the most dreadful snake in India
"And now surround the bed |; the reptile cannot
have got away. Gently, gently keep your
ewes steadily fixed. He must be under the pill
low. Directly raise it be ready to strike
Ha, there he isl" The servants at once struck
at the object pointed out, and succeeded IN
killing it. They held it up, when 10 1t proved
to be poor lizard, harmless animal, which,
beyond the blistering drop he had let fall on my
arm, bears no venom. The doctor burst INTO d
roar of laughter The black rascals joined in it.
The next week was forced to get two months
leave, for whenever | appeared with my arm
in sling, my "dying words" were quoted to
me. I was almost leased to death, because when
fancied had been bitten by snake, l had
chosen to take precautionary measures"