Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-03-05
A FIFTH AT WHIST.

"A = IL LII Ak W A464s
We had been playing all the evening a
whist, says Lieut.. Col Addison, distin
guished British officer stationed in India
Our stake had been gold mohur points
and twenty on the rubber. Maxey, wht
was always lucky, had won twenty con
secutive bumpers, which lent self-satis
fed smile to his countenance, and made us
| the losers, look anything but pleased, wher
he suddenly changed countenance and hes
itated to play This the more surprised us
since he was one who seldom pondered, be-
ling so perfectly master of the game that
he deemed long consideration superfuous:
sPlay 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 a tone
that 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!" rejoin-
ed the other, in a tone denoting extreme
pain or fear, and he laid down his cards,
'sIf you value my life, do not move"
''What can he mean; has he taken leave
Of his senses?" demanded Churchill, ap-
pealing to myself.
Don't sta1t-don't move, / tell you'll"
uttered Maxey, in a sort of whisper /
never can forget. eff you make any sud-
den motion am dead man.
We exchanged looks.
He continued: "Remain quiet and all
may be well; 1 have cobra copella round
my leg"
Our first impulse was to draw back our
chairs, but the victims appealing look in
duced lis to remain, although we were per-
fectly 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 a dead man, so fatal is
the bite of that dreaded monster.
Poor Maxey was dressed as many old re-
sidents still dress in India; namely, in
breeches and silk stockings, he therefore
the more plainly felt every movement of
the snakes His countenance assumed
livid hue; his words seemed to leave his
mouth without that feature altering its
position, so rigid was his look, SO fearful
was he lest the slightest muscular move
ment should alarm the serpent, and hasten
his fatal bite.
We were in agony little less than his
during the scene.
''He is coiling round!' murmured Max
ey; II feel him cold-cvld to my limb; and
now he tightens! For the love of heaven,
call for some milk, and let it be placed OF
the ground near me; let some be split on
the floor"
Churchill cautiously gave the order, and
a servant slipped quietly from the room.
''Don't stir! Northcote, you moved your
head. By everything sacred. conjure you
not to do SO again! It can not be long ere
my fate is decided. have wife and two
children in Europe: tell them | died bles-
sing them. The snake is winding itself
round my calf. leave them all possess.
| can almost fancy feel his breath. Great
God, to die in such manner!''
The milk was brought and carefully put
down; few drops were sprinkled ON the |
floor, and the affrighted servant drew back.
Again Maxey spoke: "No, no; it has no
effect; on the contrary he has clasped me
has uncurled his upper fold!
do NOT 1ooIr huf r ha ici
about to draw back and give the bite of
death with more fatal precision. Receive |
me, oh Lord, and pardon me! My last hour |
is come!''
Again he paused.
81 die firm, but this is past endurance.
All, no! he has another fold and loosens
himself. Can he be going to some one
else!''
We involuntarily started.
''For the love of Heaven, stir not! 1 am
a dead man, but bear with me! He still
loosens The is about to dart! Move not, |
but beware. Churchill, he falls off that |
way. Oh, this agony is too hard to bear! |
Another pressure and / am dead. Oh, |
he relaxes.''
At that moment poor Maxey ventured
to look down. The snake had unwound
itself; the last coil had fallen, and the rep
tile was making for the milk. as
81 am saved-saved" and Maxey bound
ed from his chair, and fell senseless into
the hands of his servants.
In another instant-need it be said?-
we were all dispersed; the snake was kill
led, and our poor friend carried, more dead
that alive, to his room.
That scene can never forget; it dwells
on my memory still, strengthened by the
fate of poor Maxey, who, from that hour,
pinned in hopeless imbecility, and sank into
In early grave.