Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-03-02
A Thrilling Incident.

| The following incident is extracted from a
very interesting paper in Bentley's Miscellany,
entitled Hours In Hindoostan.' The cobra
capella is said to be one of the venemous spe-
cies Of serpents in the East, his bite being at
tended by almost instant death:
| We had been playing all the evening at whist
| Our stakes had been gold mohur points, and
twenty Oh the rubber. Maxey, who was always
| lucky, had won five consecutive bumpers, which
lent a self-satisfed smile to his countenance,
and made us losers anything but pleasant, when
he suddenly changed countenauce and hesitated
| to play This the more surprised US, since he
was one who seldom pondered, being so per-
fectly master of the game that he deemed long
consideration superhous.
impatiently demanded Churchill, one Of the
most impetuous youths that ever wore the uni
form Of the body>guard.
Hush" replied Maxey, in tone which
thrilled through Us, at the same time turning
deadly pale
Are you unwel?' said another, about to
start up, for he believed our friend had been
taken suddenly i'll.
For the love Of God sit quiet, replied the
other. in a tone denotlng extreme fear Or paln
land be laid down his cards.
Ii you value my uIc move mot
What can be mean?' Has he taken leave
of his senses p demanded Churchill appealing
to myself.
Don't start-don't move, | tell you," in a
sort of whisper [ can never forget, uttered
Maxey.
IF you make any sudden motion I'm dead
man he exclaimed.
We exchanged looks He continued
Remain quiet and all may yet be well I've
cobra copella around my leg.
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs but an appalling look from the victim
induced Us to remain, although 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, 50 fatal is the bite of that dreadful mon
ster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old resi-
dents still dress in India, namely, breeches and
silk stockings. Therefore he more plainly felt
every movement of the snake. His coune-
nance assumed livid hue; the words seemed
to leave his mouth without the features alter
ing their position, so rigid was the look, SO
fearful was he lest the slightest muscular move
nent should alarm the serpent and hasten MS
bite.
We were in agony little less than his own
during the scene.
He is coiling round, /" muttered Maxey. Il
feel him cold, cold to my limb; and now he
thickens. For the love Of heaven call for some
milk [ dare not speak loud; let it be placed
near ne; let some be placed on the floor ;"
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and a
servant slipped out Of the room.
Don't stir Northcote you moved your
head. By everything sacred | coniure you 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 We're for them The snake is
winding round my calf. l leave them all
possess. [ can almost fancy feel his breath.
Great God, TO die in such manner p
The milk was brought and carefully put
| down a few drops were sprinkled on the floor,
and the affrighted servant drew back. Again
| Maxey spoke:
"No! it has no effect I dare not look
and give the bite of death with more than fa-
tai precision. Receive me, 0 Lord, and par~
don me My last hour has come again he
| pausesl die firm, but this is past endu
| rance All, no! He has undone another fold,
and loosens himself! Can he be going to some
else?' We involuntarily started.
For the love of heaven, stir not? I'm a
dead man; bat bear with with me- He still
| loosens-he is about to dart. Move not, but
beware Churchill, he falls eff that way
| Oh, this agony is too hard to bear Another
pressure, and l am dead No, he relaxes.''
At that moment poor Maxey ventured to
look down; the snake had unwound himself; :;
the last coil had fallen, and the reptile was ma
king for the milk.
II am saved I am saved!' 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 dis
persed-the snake was killed, and our poor
friend carried, more dead than alive, to his
room.
It said that castor oil makes shoe leather sof
and nliable and quite imperyious to water.