The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-01-28
fro DE CoSTINCED.)

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of the gulf mnjestically rolling in its waves t
the shore.
(ro DE CoNriSUED.)
A Torrible Adventure with Serpent,
We had been playing all the evening
whist. Our stake had been gold mohu
points, and twenty on the rubber. Maxey
who was always lucky, had won five con
Sccn'ivc bumpers, which lent a sclf.satisG.,
smile 10 his countenancc, and made Us. III.
loo<rrs, look anything but pleased, when Ii,
suddenly changed coun;cnancc, and hesita
ted TO play. This the more SURPRISED IL
since he was one who seldom pondered, be
ing so perfectly master of the game that h,
deemed long consideration superfuous.-
"Play away, Maxcy, what are you about g.
'mpaticntIy demanded Churchill. one Of the
most impctuoas youths that ever wore the
uniform of the body guard. "Hush," re-
sponded Maxey, in tone which thrilled
through US at the same time turning deadly
! pale. " Are you unwell e. said another
about to start up, for he believed our friend
; had suddenly been taken i'll. "Sit quiet"
r"Jolned the other, in a tone denotng ex.
trcme fear or pain, and he laid doown his
cards, If you value my life move uot."-
What can lie mean p has he taken leave
OF his senses!" demanded Churchill, an.
pearing to myself "Don't start-ion't
! move, tell you" in sort of whisper I
can never forget. uttered Maxey. "If Won
make any sudden motion.I am dead man.
We exchanged looks. lie continued-"Re-
main quiet, and all may yet be well. l
have cobra capela round my leg" Our
lrSt impulse was to draw back our chairs,
but an appealing look from the victim IN.
duced us to remain, although we were aware
that, should the reptile transfer but ono 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 resi-
dents still dress in India namely, in breeches
and silk stockings; he therefore the more
plainly felt every movement Of the snake.
Ills countenance assumed livid hue the
words seeming to leave his mouth without
that feature altering its position, so rigid
was his looks. 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 during the
scene. "l1e is coiling round! !" murmurcd
Maxey 81 feel him colJ-cold to nv
limb and now lie tightens! For the love
of heaven call for some milk Let it be
placed on the ground near me let some be
split on the floor" Churchill cautiously
gave the order, and a servant slipped out Of
of the room. Don't stir! Northcote,
you moved your head. BY everything sac
red | conjure You do not do SO again! 1t
cannot be long ere my fate decided.
have wife ano two children in Europe
tell them died blessing them. that my last
P'"S w ""' 'o' thcht 'nc S'dhc " winding
itself round my calf; leave them all |
posses. can almost fancy feel his breath.
To die in such manner" The milk was
brought and carefully put down; a few
drops were sprinkled on the floor, and the
atfrighted servants drew back. Again
Maxey spoke: No. no, it has no effect
ON the contrary, he has clasped himself
tighter-he has uncurled his upper fold! I
dare not look down. but am sure he is
about to draw back and give the bite OF
death with more fatal precision. Receive
me, O Lord, and pardon mel My last
hour has come. Again he pnuses. 7 die
firm but this is past endurance. All, no
he has undone another fold, and loosens
himself Can he be going to some one
elscsa" We involuntarily started. "For
the love sof heaven stir mott am dead
man but bear With me. He still loosens
he isabout to dart. Move nos but beware
Churchill, he falls off that way. Oh this
agony is too hard to bear. Another pres
Isure, and l asa dead. No, he reIaxes. -" A,
that mou,ent poor Maxey venturef3 ID lool
down. The snake lad unwound himself
the last cof had fallen, and the reptile Va,
making for the milk. " am saved dIsaved!.
and Maxey bounded IRON his chair and III
I senseless into the arms of one Of HI,
! servants. In another instant we were al
dispersed, tile snake was Killed, and on
poor fr'es carried more dead than alive Il