The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-03-05
Tho Monkey and Cobra.


A short time anterior to the recent mutiny
in India, | commanded little detachment Of
native infantry at Condapilly in the Northern
CircMs A long but dtcpess nigh, in sui
try March had fevercd my blood, as one
morning ere yet n single individual was stir.
ring about our quarters, | strollcd towards
the mountain gorge, and had stumbled al.
most TO the top Of the steep aceli,ty before
the faint flush Of dawn had aro1scd the sen.
tinel. had no fear Of thief or Thug, for n
late excursion in the district behind me had
assured ME Of safctyi hut nevertheless
started violently when, from the brorchcs Of
a stately reepul tree that grew close by,
dark figure that seemed Of human proper
tons, leupcd with jibbering cry upon the
ground. had no great reason TO be alarm
ed, for IL was but monkey-oue Of those
long-leggcd brown monkeys, with white.
strcaktd faces, that Inbound amongst thpEr
heights, and which probably little less start.
led than myself reeeded az | advanced, jib-
bering It's dissatisfaction at my intrusion.
At the foot Of the peepul tree, throwing up
its rich white petals, that shed around
sweet but sickcning odor, grew magnificent
plant Of the daturu and as | stopped to
pluch it, a rustic in the underwood beyond
followed by an acute sharp scream, which
ascribed to my friend the monkey, arrested
my hand. had judged CORRECTLY, but l had
underrated the number Of my early compau-
ions With a spring that brought it almost
to my feet, making me in my turn retreat,
the monkey lay moaning, and ms | thought
violently eonvulsed among the grass, nor did
at the moment perceive what indeed dis
covered with degree Of horror, that around
its body was twisted a gorgeously spotted
snakc-the cobra di capclla. Whether the
snake had bitten it or not could not guess,
for il seemed to me as il it were merely play
ing with the animal-that fatal game which
the cat plays with the mouse. But shout
ed, and threw stone, and then seizing a
withered branch that lay on the ground adj
vanced to the charge. The monkey, which
at another time would have fled at my up.
pioaeh, now remained perfectly motionless
as If il awaited certain succor. But the SER
pent aroused to the cognisance of an assail-
ant by a sharp blow on the head, instantly
inflated its horrid crest into that hoodlike
form which renders it so uppallingly hiieous,
gave vent to a loud hiss that seemed brimful
of passion. Again and again struck at it,
nor was il without cold thrill through my
veins that l saw it disengsge itself from the
monkey, but far from attempting to. make its
escape as | conjec,ured il would do, it turn
ed itself half erect towards me, and with a
Auttering hobble-like the hop of u bird
whose wings have been broken--it leaped
with forked tongue protruded right in my
very path. There was no time for thought,
My stick was neither strong nor long. /
could see the vcnomous eyes burn like FIRE,
and the colors of its swelling neck glow more
deeply, as it prepared to spring again, and
was fairly on the point Of making my retreat
by plunging at all hazards, down the rock be-
hind me, when n shrill chirruping cry some
what like that of guinea pig was heard,
and suddenly little creature sprung upon
tho serpent with bound Of lightsome feroc-
ity. 1t was a mungoos. And now, indeed
combat took place which fixed me 70 the
sput--but not for long Once or twice it
seemed TO me that the mungpos was bitten,
but it might not have been so, for the veloei-
~ OF their movements as clinging together,
the snake and his foe rolled over and over
amongst the long grass, prevented minute
observation.
L 4 i.
the icheumon retires for q moment TO eat Of