Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-10-19
s}listellancous.
tFron 'Chainbcrs' Journal ~
SNAKES 1 HAVE MET. 9.

/
| SNAKES 1 HAVE MET.
II there is anything in the world for which
entertain u depp-rooted hatred ard uDcontrol-
able dread, that object is undoubtedly snake,
| and next to u suake, anything in the shape uf a
| lizard, scorpion toad or other reptile never
| thelrss, il seems TO have been decree0 that
| from NY earliest infancy upwards should be
doomed to be exposed tu perpetual encounters
aud adventures with these luatbsome creepers
upon the earth. The first clear, taugble OBJ.
| ject that liked itself upon my memory-l
could have been but very little nioie tBan two
years old at the time of The occurrence-was
hldeous cobra coling itself under the pillow of
my Indian nurse, who slept on mat on the
floor; and the first word could distinctly ar.
tculate was "Pdmboo" (tamul. .snake,) with
which cry aud pointing with my finger. | drew
| attention to the Uuwrlcome intruder, and
| forthwith got him despatched. Then long
blank iutervenes, 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 Blll--who was older than my
self-aud smul white scorpion. Bill bad
been trying TO unlock large paddock on the
fowl.house and being unsuccessful, poked his
little finger Tito tile k-yhole, and Immediately,
to my immense establishment and amuse nIpDt
performed most extraordinary Ounce round
the yard, accompanying the same with the
most h!deOus bowls, cOutortioCs aud grimaces
But | bad no idea ut the moment, Of course
that hs hud been stuug by a venomous rep
tile.
Ono very heavy monsoon at Madras, when
the rain had swollen the river to such an px.
tent that II flooded tue country for miles
around. ! was stsuding in the billiard.room
surveying the dreary aspect out Of the win.
duws when my attention was suddenly arrest
ed by the moribund groans Of u frog, and
turning rolnd, | saw huge snuke under the
billiard table in the very act Of engurgiDg ii.
Sliding in Ut the opposite door was Mrs. Co
| bra aud her young family, driving before them
some wretched little frogs, which were vainly
endeuvoring to escape from their relentless
pursuprs. One bound on to the billard.table,
and another off it, and into the veranda, clear.
ed me of my disagreeuble neighbors but,
before nightfull that day. twenty seven snakes
of all descriptions and sizes were killed in that
billlard-room by the servants. The waters
rose so high that every house in Madras suf
iered from perfect visitstion Of reptiles. and
| not only reptiles, but jrckhls and birds sought
/ nn lum in the homes Of men, with bandi.
| coots, rats, scorpions-in short Sufficient rep.
! tile material to fit u very decent museum Of
natural history.
! ] was sitting in travellers bungalow once
at pluce called Octagherry, between Madras
and the NJ Muubar coast, and my friend was Sit
! ting near the door, so as to catch as much
day light as possible, reading some work from
the little library With which government and
| voluntary contributions furnish these buCga.
| lows. Suddenly, perceived that large
snake had coiled Itself around the back Of bis
chair, aud was puking its head between his
arm and his tody, US though seeking for some
other hold. For u moment ! was paraly yzed,
and the 50 Ike had shifted its search, and was
rapidly coiling round the young officers neck.
| AT the same instant, servant made his ap-
peaIeuce opposite the door, and got so fright.
ened that he fell to the grouud in tainting
dt. My friend was luckily man Of immense
nerve and great presence of mind he saw
! that his only chance was to remain as still us
u statue; the slightest move would have
alarmed the snake, and then nothing conld
have saved him. ], on my part, sat motion.
| less, with my heart frozen through and
| through. 10 very few seconds, fortunately
the servant aud 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 cOled round the bo.
dy Of S. so much, that it unwrapped
itself rapidly and slid away to its hole. g
tainted instantly when he found himself safe
and my anxiety bad been so intense, that
ielt i'll for many days afterwards. On relating
my adventure to Major W, whom we met
at the very next station. be told US one OF his
own serpent experiences.
Il commanded" said the Major, "the de
tachment Of the fuo,-artilery, stationed al
NJ asulipitam-a horrd Place as you know
! pt,tl far ri isliu tn ha ri al
Mrs. W-was Just recovering from a severe
illness, and for The first time for many day
was able to join me at the tfin table. Mos'
fortunately, | was on garrison court MARTA
that day, and had my sword hanging by in
belt to a chair back Our bungalow was
tiled one, with no intervening platform Of
other roor; aud suddenly there dropped upor
the table between us on immense cobra, thai
had been most likely bunting for squirrels
nests among the concal tiles. Raising III
hooded head, and kissing horribly. the reptile
! threatened alternately TO dart al one or thu
other Of u.s. is veuomed fangs protruding ful
one inch. AS for Mrs. W, she had iallei
back in her chair perfectly unconscious; and
never for o moment removing my eye from
the snakes. gradually unsheathed my sword
and suddenly bounding aside at the same in
stant, severed its head from its body. 1t wa
hairbreadth escape, assure you, for bot
OF u.s."
Some time afterwards, l was residing @
Chittoor, in North Arcot, and there was
little detached storehouse, or godopn, as the
are called, where kept my supply OF bee
and other European luxuries. / always kep
the key to this place myself, and one morning
as was ny wont, went in to get out some ai
ticles for the day. The door was the onl
place Of ipgress or egrcss. and the godowI
which was thAtched with pslm.leaves, coul
not boast OF single window, darkness bein
requisite in those hot countries for that kin
Of storebouse. What required took me I
.h" very further extremity Of the room frol
lar door, aud was just STOPPING down to =,