Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-01-26
CHARMED BY TUE COBRA.

People who hare never been to Egypi
doubt the stories which reach them rela-
tive to the fascination that is wrought upou
human creatures BY the cobra di eapello.
To those who have doubts upon the sub
ject, the appended extract from Mr.. DE
Icons ..Askaros kassis,". will be found
Of no little interest. Edith. the young
lady mentioned. is one of party of Eng
lish people on their way to their host:
house in the environs Of Grand Cairo:
At the same moment a stiled shrek
broke from the lips of Edith, who had
been thrown TO the ground. and had just
risen to her feet. She stood immoyahle,
as though from terror, trembling in every
limb, her lips parted, and her blue ewes
"a strange mixture of fascination and
horror in their staring orbs-fxed upon
point in the shrubbery just before her.
AT the sound of her shrek, .Askaros,
who was n few steps in advance, leading
the way, turned suddenly round and
his gaze was Instantly riveted on the same
object, with somewhat the same fascina-
ton.
From the midst of an immense clump
OF shrubs, at the foot of huge palm,
cleaned forth whist seemed two living
Goals. Beneath it, coiled in huge bulk
like the eordage of some mighty ship, fold
above fold, sinuous and undulating. writh-
ed the knotty conyolutions of a shiny SER
Pent. The eye of Askaros bent upon the
turning spots that made CLEAN of light
N ha Shak 81, H. ..f n
iiguish the erect head of the monster
ats forked tongue moving rapidly back
wand aud forward in its ponderous Jaws
while from the grcenish eyes sparks full
of evil fire seemed to scintillate.
Thn, glancing from the grim terror
to the maiden, the heart Of the young
Egyptian stood still, the hair bristled OF.
his heal, and the blood in his veins SEEM
ed to freeze; for that wondrous influence
the serpent eve seems to exercise over
man, bird, or beast-commonly known as
fascination, which science NAV deride. bu:
experience has confirmed by the testimony
of many men in many lards-had wrought
its strange spell over her gentle spirit
Her first impulse of terror and flight had
not only been arrested. but changed into
apparently far different sentiments: and
repulsion and horror had been succeeded
by what seemed attraction-cycn pleas
ure.
Her sudden fight was checked, changed
to an attitude of eager expectation-hcr
body bent forward-her lips apart-hcr
hand placed to her ears-a yearuing in
rtcrest manifested in each strained feature
of her speaking face Still, her large
blue eyes, the pupils unnaturally dilated
strained into the corpse; ; aud she stood
there under the shadows of the palms. the
living embodiment of that exquisite crea-
ton of the chsel that has made its sculp-
tors fame--the blushing Nydia of Pom
peii.
Her parted lips moved slightly. and
her hand raised itself with a languid mo-
ton.
Hush she murmured, as one speak
ing in dream, "Do not break that heav-
enly music. 1t sounds like the song Of
angels"
Then, on the second, hoarse kissing
whisper grated through the clenched teeth
of the Egyptian, who stirred not hand or
foot, but with single glance warned back
the astcnished group, who were about
pressing forward
.'Stir not speak motif you love her .
1t is the cobra di capello. They only
strike when angcred-movement will be
death ~
A chill struck to the heart of his listen
ers as they heard that dreaded name. -
They shuddered and obeyed
Motionless as the rest, bu. with every
muscle braced as if ready to spring between
the girl and the serpent-to interpose his
own body as a shield, if neccssary-and
with his eye rivetted on the monster, the
Egyptian watched its every movement, as
the crest rose and fell, and the scales of
the sinuous bulk writhed and twisted in
its dark-brown coils Large drops OF
sweat rolled off his contracted brow. hi.
breast heaved like that of an athlete after
deadly strain, and blood dripped on his
white silk vest from the lips his sharp
teeth tore in his agitation. Anxiety
strained to agony was stamped in his eve
ry feature, but, with marvellous self-con-
troll, he stood as if hewa out Of stone.
Moments, that seemed hours, passed
Twice the cobra raised his hattenef head
projected the omnious cowl over his red
eyes, braced his stiffening coils, and seem
ed preparing for his arrowy spring. Then
twice the Copt, bracing every muscle,
seemed ready to launch himself between
the monster and his prey.
But twice the serpent lowered its head
and relaxed its coil: and twice a deep
gasp from the overburdened breast of the
man proved one peril past-one strain
over.
The rest of the group-stupeGed by
the peril. and sure that the Egyrt;an
knew best wha, the fearful situation re-
quired-implicitly obeyed his warning.
Suddenly, while all remained in this
horrible suspense, there sounded from the
other side of the wall. the low, wailing
notes of the Egyptian reed-fute. followed
by peculiar cali. As the Cop, caught
the sound, his face Frightened. and he
breathod deep sigh of relief. for he re-
cognixed the serpent-charmer, So well
known in the East. The cobra seemed
30 hear il. too. Through his vast and
sinuous bulk there seemed TO run a shud-
dering thrill. His uplified crest sank
his hagc folds sallenly aud reluctantly
unwouDd; and turning his head in the
direction Of the sound. he stretched hi.
fsIl length on :he Intervening swari. A
second and shriller blast Of the faie. cd.
loved hy lcu'lcr call. broke through ,hs