Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-19
M SCELL A N Y .

Still luv you moor and INQUIRER.
M is @ ELL A N Y.
Snakes Have Met in Asia.
If there is anything in the world of which /
entertain deep-rooted hatred and an nncontroll-
able dread, that object undoubtedly is snake,
and next to q snake, anything in the shape of a
lizard, scorpion, toad, or other reptile; never.
theless. it seems to have been decreed that from
my earliest infancy upwards, | should be doomed
to be exposed TO perpetual encounters and ad-
ventures with these loaths0me creepers upon the
EARTH The first clear, tangible object that fixed
itself upon my memory could have been very
little more than two years old at the time OF the
occurrence-was hideous cobra coiling itself
under the pillow of my Indian nurse, who slept
on a mat on the floor; and the first word could
distinctly articulate was 'Pam5oo," (tamul-
snake,) with which cry, and pointing with my
finger, drew attention to the unwelcome in
truder, and forthwith got him dispatched. Then
long blank intervenes, reaching over nearly
three years; after which, my adventures may be
termed legion. The next incident relating to
reptiles which can call to mind is connected
with my brother Bill--who was older than my
self-and a small white scorpion. Bill had been
trying to unlock large paddock on the fowl
house; and being unsuccessful, poked his little
finger into the keyhole, and immediately, to my
immense astonishment and amusement, per-
formed most extraordinary dance around the
yard, accompanying the same with the most
hideous howls, contortions and grimaces. But
had no idea at the moment, of course, that he
had been stung by venomous reptile.
One very heavy monsoon at Madras, when the
rain had swollen the river to such an extent
that it flooded the country for many miles a.
round, I was standing in the billiard-room sur
veying the ireary aspect out of the windows,
wien my attention was suddenly arrested by the
moribund groans of frog, and turning round,
saw huge snake under the billiard table in the
very act Of engorging it. Sliding in at the op-
posite door, was Mrs. Cobra and her young fami-
iy, driving before them some wretched little
frogs, which were vainly endeavoring to escape
from their relentless pursuers. One bound on to
the billiard table, and another off it, and into
the yerandah, cleared me of my disagreeable
neighbors; but before nightfall that day, twenty
seven snakes of all descriptions and sizes were
killed in that billard-rooIn by the servants The
water rose so high that every house in Madras
suffered from perfect visitation OF reptiles, and
not only reptiles, but jackals and birds sought
an asylum in the homes of men, with bandicoots,
rats and scorpioDs-in short, sufficient reptile
material to fit up very decent museum Of nat
ural history. a3
was sitting in travellers bungalow once,
at place called Ootagherry, between Madras
and the Malabar coast, and my friend was sitting
pear the door, so as to catch as much daylight
as possible, reading some work from the little
library with which government and voluntary
contributions furnish those bungalows. Sud
denly, perceived that a large snake had coiled
itself round the back of his chair and was poking
ito head between his arm and his body, as though
soaking for some other hold. For moment |
was paralyzed, and the next the snake had shifted
it's search. and was rapidly coiling round the
voupg officers neck. At the same instant, q
servant made his appearance opposite the door,
and rot so frightened, that he fell to the ground
in . fainting fit. My friend was luckily man
of immense nerve and great presence of mind
he saw at glance that his only chance was to
remain as still ss statue; the slightest move
would have alarmed TIE snake and then nothing
could have saved him. /, on my part, sat mo-
tionless, with my heart frozen through and
through. In few seconds, fortunately the
servants and palkee-bearers returned from the
tope, where they had been having their curry
and rice, and the noise of their approach alarmed
the snake (then coiled round and round the body
of S-) so much that it unwrapped itself rap
idly. and slid as rapidly away to its hole. s.
tainted instantly he found himself safe; and my
had been SO intense that | felt ill for
many days afterwards.
On relating this adventure to Major W,
whom we met at the very next station, he told
us one of his own serpent experiences II COM
mandsd," said the Major, s'the detachment of
foot-artillery stationed in the fort at Mesulipa-
tam-a horrid place, as you know, gentlemen,
for any Christian to be quartered. Mrs. W
was Just recovering from severe illness, and,
for the first time for many day, was able to
join me at the tiffin. table. Most fortunately, /
was on garrison cour t-martial that day, and
had my sword hanging by its belt to the chair
back. Our bungalow was g tiled one, with no.
Intervening platform or other roof and suddenly
there dropped upon the table between Us an i'm
merlse cobra, who had been most likely hunting
for squirrels nests among the conical tiles
Raising its hooded head, and Kissing horribly,
the reptile threatened alternately to dart at one
or the other OF US, its venomed fangs protruding
a full inch. AS for Mrs W, she had fallen
back in her chair perfectly unconscious; and,
never for second moving my eye from the
snakes, gradually unsheathed my sword, and,
suddenly bounding aside, at the same instant
severed its head from its body. It was hair
breadth escape, can assure you, for both of u.s."
Sometime afterwards, I was residing at Chit
toor, in North Arcot, and there was little de-
tached storehouse Or godoaon, as they are called,
where l kept my supply of beer aud other
European luxuries. always kept the key of
this place myself, and one morning, as was my
wont, went in to get some articles for the day.
The door was tie only place of ingress or egress,
and the godown, which was thatched with palm
leaves, could not boast of single window,
darkness being requisite in those hot countries
for that kind of store-house. What l required
for mo to tho fur Of ho
from the door, and was just STOPPING down to
select what wanted, when heard tremen-
dous flop behind me, and then scafie. Turn
ing round, / saw cobra and rat having reg
ular pitched battle The cobra had been after
the rats young ones, and the infuriatec mother
was th1rsting for revenge. Though much a.
larlned for my own safety-for had no means
of escape without passing the cobra--I soon be-