The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-09-08

could not sleep for thinking of the prso-
ner.
His calm, handsome face, showing neith-
er fear nor bravado, when her father had
mentioned his destined fate, haunted her
mind.
Through a crevice in the tent, she could
now see him standing composed and cheer
Unlocking, out there il the clear moon
light, amongst his dusEy guards.
At last the young girl dropped 70 sleep.
At dawn she was walked BY a strange feel
ing Of oppression in her chest.
A thrill Of horror went through her
frame. speechless with fear
she lay, at sight Of Aiaeous-Joohirsg ser
pent coiled upon her breast!
The monster was about four feet long,
its folds wound up in three rings, in tbe
centre Of which was It's head, slightly Gle
waited, its two glitterlng eyes turned full
upon her face, its forked tongue moving
back and forth with lightning rapidity in
it's halfopened mouth
The body was Of dark color, and had
the appearance Of being covered all over
with slimy-looking spots or scales. Under
the throat were two stringy appendages
hanging like miniature bammocks to that
part Of the creature, and adding to the un-
couth aspect Of the reptile.
Sylveen had heard descriptions eno1gh
of this fearful pest of India, to realize at
glance, that her terrible visitor was the
terrible cobra de capezlo-one Of the most
yenomous Of the serpent tribe.
What could she do?
The slightest cry-the feeblest move
ment on her part would insure her des-
truction.
The creature had its gaze upon her, and
the moment she should stir it would doubt
less thrust its horrible head against her
face or neck, and make her feel the fatal
bite Of its poisonous fangs.
Scarcely daring to breathe, she lay, keep
ing even her eyelids steady while cold
perspiration bathed her brow, and her
heart beat loud and fast with wild terror
that almost deprived her Of conscious
ness.
Meanwhile, outside the tent she could
hear the voices Of her father and the guides,
as they moved to and fro, ignorant Of her
perilous position.
Would they never come? Vainly she
listened for her fathers approaching foot
steps. Several times she saw his shadow
across the threshold Of the tent, and once
she beheld his arm; but he did not enter.
Suddenly the serpent elevated his head
higher than before. The beating of her
heart, the heaving Of her breast, which she
could uot suppress, had probably reused
the creature to action.
Slowly the head was thrust forward, then
its Shiny touch was on her fesh-H lay
nestled on Ter soAite Mroat! In few mo-
ments, she would probably feel its horrid
fangs.
Just then. her father looked in the tent.
He saw the serpent al once-at once real
lied the peril Of his child. An involuntary
cry escaped him. The Hindoo guides were
soon at his side.
They looked hopelessly at their muskets
and their knives. They could neither cut
nor shoot the serpent, lying so closely
against the girl, without mortally wound
ing her.
For them to attempt to seize the crea-
ture with the hand must also prove fatal
to the young woman. The moment they
touched it, it would bite her throat.
What was to be done? How was the
serpent to be removed
Not one Of them could think Of any plan
and the old captain wrung his hands in
silent agony, believing that the fate Of his
child was sealed.
Suddenly Henry Melton made his ap-
pearance at the door Of the tent The
guides and the captain, in their trepidation
and alarm, had forgotten him. He might
have escaped, had he 50 wished.
The moment he beheld Sylveen's situa
tion, his eyes cleaned with cold, steady
glitter The girl lay on her back, her right
side toward the door Of the tent. IN this
position her throat, with the head Of the
serpent nesting upon i, was distinctly re-
vealed.
Henry raised his left arm, as a sign to
the party to make no noise. With his right
he draw his pistol.
"Hold !" whispered the captain, seizing
his wrist. "If you fire at the serpent you
will kill my childrn
II will save her." answered Melton.
MY God | cannot risk j! ! Your bull
let will fssiI-it must fail, with the serpent
right on her"
"Haye no fear, sirtn answered Melton,
calmly.
He looked 50 confident that the captain,
who had heard that he was a "crack shot"
from some of the nidshipmen aboard, let
80 of he 1r,;ct