The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-11
A Thrilling Incident.


from very interesting paper in BentLey's
Miscellany, entitled, "Hours.in Hindostan I"
The cobra copella is said to be one of the
East, its bite being attended by almost in
slant death:
We had been playing all the evening
at whist. Our stakes had been gold moLur
points, and twenty on the rubber Maxey,
who was always lucky, had won five con-
secutive bumpers, which lent self-satis-
fed smile to his countenance, and made
us losers anything but pleasant, when he
suddenly changed countenance and hest
tated to play. This the more surprised us,
since he was one who seldom pondered,
being so perfectly master of the game that
he deemed long consideration superflous.
"Play away, Maxey; what are you
about?" impatiently demanded Churchill,
one Of the most impetuous youths that
ever wore the uniform of the body
guard.
"Hush," responded Maxey, in tone
which thrilled through us, at the same
time turning deadly pale.
care you unwell ?" said another about
to start up, for he believed our friend had
been suddenly taken i'll.
"For the love of God, sit quiet" re-
piled the other. in tone denoting ex-
treme fear or pain, and he laid down his
cards
"If you value my life, move not"
"What can he mean? Has he taken
leave of his senses?" demanded Churchill,
appealing to myself
Don't start-don't move, tell you, "
in sort of whisper l never can forget,
uttered Maxey.
eff you make anv sudden motion I'm a
dead man !" he exclaimed
We exchanged looks. He continued:
"Remain quiet and all may yet be
we'll. I've cobra copella around my
leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs; but an appealing look from the
victim induced us to remain, although we
were aware that should the reptile trans
fer but one 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 dreadful mon
ster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old
residents still dress in India, namely
breeches and silk stockings Therefore
he more plainly felt every movement OF
the snake His countenance assumed a
livid hue; the words seemed to leave his
mouth without the features altering his
position, go rigid was the look, so fearful
was he lest the slightest muscular move
ment should alarm the serpent and hasten
his bite
We were in agony little less than his
own during the scene.
"He is coiling round" muttered Maxey
al feel him cold, cold to my limb; and
now he thickeps. For the love of heaven
call for some milk dare not speak loud
let it be placed near me; let some be
placed on the floor"
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and
servant slipped out of the room.
"Don't stir Northcote, you moved
your head. By everything sacred L con
jure yo not to do so again. 1t cannot
be long ere my fate is decided. I've a
wife and two children in Europe tell
them died blessing them-that my last
prayers were for them. The snake is
winding around my calf; leave them all
1 possess; I can almost fancy l feel his
breath. Great God, to die in such man
ner!"
The milk was brought and carefully put
down: few drops were sprinkled on the
floor, and the affrlghted servant ureW
back. Again Maxev spoke:
"No! it has no effect l dare not look
down, but am sure he is about to draw
back and give the bite of death with more
than fatal precision Receive me, o Lord
and pardon me! My last hour has come
Again he pauses! die firm, but this is
past endurance All, no! He has undone
another fold, and loosens himself! Can he
be going to some one else?" We involun'
tarily started.
"For the love of Heaven, stir not I'm
dead man; but bear with me. He still
loosens-he is about to dart. Move not
but beware !-Churchill, he falls OIL that
way. Oh! this agony is too hard to bear
Another pressure, and am dead (! No, he
relaxes."
At the moment poor Maxey vent1red to
look down the snake had unwound him
self the last coil had fallen and the reptile
was making for the milk.
"I am saved l am saved y and Maxey
bounded from his chair and fell senseless
into the arms of one of his servants. In
another instant, need it be added, we were
all dispersed-the snake was killed, and
our poor friend carried more dead than
alive to his room.