River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-05-25
OUR ONLY SNAKE.
A Tale of the Maurltius.

Tale of the Nautilus.
We were a party Of four, made up Of
our host, old Dr.. Fairbairn young
Thompson, assistant surgeon Of the
TIL, quartered at Mahibourg Cap.
tain Blogg, of the same distinguished
corps and myself We sat IN the We
randa after dinner, smoking and halt
doing, when the doctor suddenly said
10 his brother professional BY the
way, Thompson, | had fine specimen
of the cobra de capello, given me to-
day 10y the skipper Of the vessel that
arrived with coolies from Madras
"Ah, really. You must let me see
him"
"And what may that be you're talk
ing about, Doctor ?" said Captain
Blogg, as a sound like the booming OF
cannon ceased in the corner at which
he was seated for he was a heavy
sleeper
"A species Of snake, replied Or.
Fairbairn
"a cobra, did you say The deuce
and all A snake here 4 live one,
d You mean -
The Doctor nodded.
"Well, now, I've always maintained
that if there was one redeeming point
about this precious island that point
was the absence OF snakes. Another
illusion destroyed Nautilus, | give
thee up -
"But, Blogg, one snake cant make a
COLONY, you know
II don't know. I'd believe anything
about snakes
THE species Is very venomOus I've
heard, Doctor" squeaked in a shrll
treble the assistant surgeon, who was
an earnest young man and ardentlv de
voted to his profession. lie had a
nervous cough and wore spectacles.
II believe you. You should have
seen the creole at the Custom House
jump as he opened the box in which
the skipper had carefully placed the
glass case with my specimen II
saved the skipper some duty on trlnk-
cts and 1iligree-work, ! expect, fot the
box passed without further inspec-
tlon.
"And do you mean TO say that this
venomous reptile is under the same
roof with MS. and only bit of glass
between us and It ?" and captain
Blogg appeared disQuieted.
True, @ King But the glass is
very thick, and"
Smash There was a cry aud scul
fling of feet.
"Lui fin allie lm tim sauye. IN sieul
cried q servant, running m with AZ
frighted looks
who's gone who's escaped, err
Malahar -
"Pamhoo, sahib, cried an Indian
servant.
How did it happen. creuu
Moi ua-pas COMMAS. m'sieu. ~
PITT gokhra lul casse
oh no doubt, OF course, II wa.
the gokhTa that did Int all, and YOU laZl
wretches are as innocent as doves T.,
off ut once. Search the house, and i
YOU find it kill 1t at once, d'yol
hear -
.'0u, oui. Kill HIM. kill him, I say =
shouted Captain Blogg as the fellow
disappeared. d" Pom my word the lde.
OF snake OF gokhra, as the fellow
calls 1t, makes me quite nervous.
'Well, your all right anyway. Blogg
for they've made Your bed up In N,
pavilion tonight II the thing get,
out of the house az All you may NJ
sure he's had enough close cOuiine
ment and will he off for the Jungle At
the back, on down 10 the river at hi,
first chance
"ies my theory rs that m his pres
ent famished condition he should ms
make direct tor yom heu-house
fsf1b Lantr t.,rt tlta,Vt.a -, i,.,l
az wise as an owl, Thompson. tut yol
amt as cunning as serpant N,
piece Of mind has gone for tho pres
ent.
well, ms wife will give youa ru
of tea 20 restore 1t, SAID the Doctor
and he went into the drawlug.Ioom
Captain Blogg, though generally
very entertaining person not so muCI
from wit I'm himself as from being th
cause of wit IN others was los M
means an amusing companion dunn
this evening lie planted himself can,
fully In the middle of the room. uuth
stlifest and most uncomfortable chan
he could find, avoiding cushions oi au
timacassars OF anything that NIGH
harbor an unwelcome intruder
AZ whilst he revoked. ttumpcd m
partners trick. and paid mo heed Il
the common rules of the game error
which, when committed hy others, III
was wont 20 dcclaim with M the au
thoritN of a member 90 the Portland
II was Z relief 20 everybody Whr
the time cuWr tn retire a. rest auO
Captain B.u-e aud heta1b oursolv,
20 the pavilion, 20 wooden erection