The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-05-28
A Thrilling Incident.

Miscellany, entitled "Hours in Hindoo-
stan 1.-THE cobra capella is said to be one
ofthe most venomous species of serpents
in the East, his bite being attended by
almost instant death:
We had been playing all the evening
at whist. Our stakes had been gold
mohur points, and twenty on the rub
Der. Maxey, who was always lucky,
had won five consecutive bumpers,
which lent self-satisfied smile to his
countenance, and made us losers any
thing but pleasant, when he suddenly
changed countenance and hesitated 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 superfluous.
"Play away, Maxey; what are you
abOut?" impatiently demanded Church
i'll, one of the most impetuous youths
that ever wore the uniform of the body
guard.
"Hush," replied Maxey, in tone
which thrilled through us, at the same
time turning deadly pale.
care you unwcll ?" said another,
about to start up, for he believed our
friend had been taken suddenly i'll.
"For the love of God sit quiet" re-
piled the other, in a tone dcnoting cx-
treme fear or pain, and he laid down
his cards.
eff you value my life, move not"
"What can he mean? Has he taken
leave of his senses ?" demanded Church.
ill appealing to myself.
"Don't start-don't move, 1 tell you,"
i n a sort of whisper 1 can never forget,
uttered Maxey.
"If you make any sudden motion Pm
a dead man !" he exclaimed.
We exchanged looks. He continued:
"Remain quiet and all may yet he
well.pve cobra copellaround my leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back
our chairs but an appealing look from
the victim induced us to remain, al
though we were aware that should the
reptile transfer but one fold, and attach
himself to any other of the party, that
individual might already be counted a
dead man, so fatal is the bite of that
dreadful monster.
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 assum-
ed livid hue; the words seemed to
leave his mouth without the features
altering the position, so rigid was the
look, so fearfulwas he lest tho slightest
muscular movement should alarm the
scpent and hasten his bite.
We were in agony little less than his
own during the scene.
"IIe iscoiling round, ,"muttered Maxey
~ feel him cold cold to my limb; ant
now, he thickens. For the love of heav
en- call for some milk. dare not speal
loud let it be placed near me; let SOM
be placed on the floor"
Churchill cautiously gave the order
and a servant slipped out of the room.
: "Don't stir! Northcote you movet
: your head. BY every ything sacred
eoDjure you not to do so again.
1t cannot be long ere my fate is decid
ed. I've wife and two children il
Europe; tell them died blessing then
that my last prayers were for them
The snake is winding round my calf.
leave them all possess. l can almos
| \ f..al n I,
T die in such mannerw
The milk was brought and CAREFUL.
t put down; a few drops were sprinkled OF
the floor, and the affrighted servan
drew back. Again Maxey spoke:
: "No it has no effect dare not lool
down, but am sure he is about to draw
back and give the bite of death wit
more than fatal precision. Receive me
Oh! Lord and pardon me! My last hou
has come again he pauses die firm
but this is past endurance! Ah, no
He has undone another fold, and loos
ems himself! Can he be going to SOM
one?" We involuntarily started.
: "For the love of heaven. stir not! I'm
D a dead man but bear with me. III
: still looscns-he is about to dart. Nov
4 not, but beware! Churchill, he falls o.
that way. Oh, this agony is too har
: to bear. Another pressure. and ! an
dead No, he relaXes."
At that moment poor Maxey ventul
ed to look down; the snake had M
r wound himself; the last coil had fallen
and the reptile was making for tn
milk.
~ am saved! / am saved" an'
Maxey bounded from his chair and iel
0 senseless into the arms of one of hi
servants. In another instant, need
be added, we were all dispersed-th
n snake was killed, and our poor frien
i carried, more dead than alive, to HI
: room.