The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-04-03
Charmed by the Cobra.

DC Icons "Askaros Kassis" contains
All interesting account of lady being
charmed by Il cobra Iii capcllo while ia
Egypt, member Of an English party on
the way to their hosts house on the en-.
virons Of Grand Cairo. Those who be.
licvc i'll the power Of reptiles to charm
men, beast and birds, and those who dc
not, will form their own opinions rs to q
singular occurrence, but no one will dis.
pnte that some terrible influence, either
that Of terror or fascination, took posses
sion of the lady in question:
y shrek broke from the lips Of Edith
who had been thrown TO the ground, and
had just risen to her feet. She stood im-
movable, as though from terror, trembling
in every limb, her lips parted and hcr blue
cycs-a strange mixture Of fascination
and horror in their staring orbs-iixcd
upon point in. the shrubbery Just before
her. Al thc sound of her shrek. Aska-
rOs, who was few steps in advance lead
ing the way, turned suddenly round; and
his gaze, following her, was instantly riv-
c,cd on the same object, with somewhat
the same fascination.
From the midst Of a thick clump of
shrubs, ut the foot of huge palm, cleaned
forth what seemed two living Goals, and
beneath it-coilcd III huge bulk like
Cordngc Of some mighty slIip-fold above
fold, sinu0us, unduiating, writhcd the
knottcd canYulsions Of Shiny serpent.
The eye of AskarOs bent upon the
burning spots that made Il glcam in the
dnsky shade Of tho shrubs, till he could
distinguish the erect head Of the monster
ITS orkcd tongue moving rapidly back
ward and forward i'll its poisonous jaws
while from the grecnish eyes, full of evil
fire, sparks seemed to scintiI!atc.
Then, glancing from The grim terror TO
the maiden, the heart Of they Dung Egyp-
tim stood still, the hair bristlcd on his
head, aud the blood i'll his veins seemed
to freeze; for that wondrnus influence
which the serpent eye exercises over man,
bird or bcast--COmmOnly known ms fis-
cinatiOn, which science may dcridc but
experience has confirmed by testimony of
many men in many lnnds-hnd wrought
its strange spell over her gentle spirit.
Her first impulse Of terror and flight had
no! only hccn arrested, but changed into
inr different sentiments; and rcpulsion
and horror had been succeeded by what
scented attractiOn--Cvcn pleasure. Her
sudden flight wns checked, changed 10 nm
attitude of eager cxpcctati0n--hcr body
bent forward--lIcr lips apart-hcr hand
placed to her car---a ycarning interest
manifested in cuch strained feature of her
speaking face. Still her large blue eyes,
the pupils unnaturally dilatcd, strained
into the cUpsc; anil she STOOL there under
the snmlIcr shadow Of the palm, the iv-
ing embodiment 0f that exquisite creation
OF the chiscl that has male its sculptOr's
fame
Her parted lips moved slightly, and
her hand raised itself with lnnguid mo-
tinn.
"IIush!" she murmurcd, as one speak
ing in n dream. ado not break that heav-
cnly music. II sounds like Il song Of the
Hngcls"
Then, on the second, u hoarsc, kissing
whisper grated through the clcnChcd teeth
Of the Egyptian, who stirred not hand
nor foot, but with single glance warned
hack The nstonishcd group who were
about pressing forward.
"Stir nDt--spcak motif you love her
II Is the cobra di capcllO! They only
strike when angcrcd- will be-
DEATH"
a chill struck 10 the heart of his lis
tcncrs Hs they heard that dreadful nnmc.
They sluddCrcd md obcycd.
Moti0mlCss aa the rest, Int with every
muscle bracch M if ready 10 spring be.
tween the girl and that scrpcnt-to inter
pose his own bndy ns her shield, if nee.
rssary and with his eyes rivctcd upon the
monster, the Egyptian watched its every
movement ~ the crest rose and fell, nntl
the scales Of The sinuOus bulk writhcd aud
twisted In It's dark brown coils. Largo
drops Of sweat rolled from his contracted
brow, his breast hcavcd like that OF M
athlete after deadly strain, and blood
lrippcd on his white silk vest from thu
lips his white teeth tore In his agitation
Anxiety strained 10 agony wHs Stamped
on every feature, but with marvellous
sclf.c0ntrOl he stood still.
Moments that seemed hours passed
Twice the cobra raised his ilattcncGl head
projected the nminous Cowl over the rec
eyes, brnccd his stiiTcning coils and sccmcc
preparing for his arr0wy spring. Ant
iwicc tho Copl, hracing every muscle
seemed ready To launch himself hctwrcI
the monster aud its prey.
IIut twice the serpent lowered its hca,
and relaxed his coil, and twice dec
gasp from tho ovcrburtlcncd breast Of In
man proved ono peril past---Cnc strait
past. Tho rest OF the group stupcIlcd b.