The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-10-05

dlate nelghborhood. This, however,
was unquestionably tic palunga, many
feet long, and it had wrapped its coils,
as though in hideous sport, around Os.
wald's limbs as helay there unconscious.
The great fiat bead of the enormous
snake rested on the ground among the
flowers and ferns. I could see its eyes,
bright as jewels, fixed upon me. Ii
showed, for the moment, however, NO
particular signs of anger or distrust, but
contented itself with quietly contemplat.
ing the intruder on its haunts. As /
stood gazing on my sleeping lover and
the monstrous creature that lay, wake
full, but quiescent, so near to him, ell
the stories of snakes that / had ever
heard or read came crowding in upon my
quickened memory. / knew that the tic
palunga, in common with most of the
venomous varieties of its race, seldom
employed its poison fangs unless when
attacked or annoyed but I also knew
that the hardest elephant hunter of the
forests would sooner confront the charge
of herd of incensed tuskers than face
the lancelike dart and rancorous bite of
this dreaded denizen of the Jungle.
The tic palunga, unlike the boa and
the python, rarely, if ever, preys upon
the larger animals, such as deer or cattle,
confining its diet, for the most part, to
birds and frogs and lizards. Some ca.
price, most likely, had caused it to twine
a part of its supple convolutions around
Oswald as he lay, and so long rs he re-
mained asleep and motionless, there was
little probability that the serpent would
harm him. My great fear was lest he
should awake, and, in awaking, by some
hasty movement, arouse the ire of the
resistless foe. Oswald was brave and
strong, but it was mockery to speak of
strength or courage when SO terrible an
antagonist was in question.
Suddenly, as ii it had been whisper
from Heaven, there came into my mind
a thought that promised hope, even in
that dire extremity of need. I had
often seen harmless snakes kept tame in
colonial households, and was aware of
their habits, and OF their love for GER
tain kinds of food, and, above all, for
milk. Gould but bring to that spot
supply Of milk, and place it, before Os-
valid should awake, temptingly near to
the tic palunga, all might be well. And
yetto desert him-poor fellow i'm such
terrible company seemed cruel: yet it
was for his sake aud 1 felt that l must
go. Very slowly, then, lest my foot
steps should disturb the sleeper or irri-
tate the huge reptile that kept watch be-
side him, L stole away, and when at
fafe distance, flew rather than ran along
the forest path.
The nearest European dwelling was
Oswalds own home. There were Gin
galese huts nearer, no doubt, where
dwelt some of Mr. Forster's hired men,
but l should not be able to procure
what I sought save from the planters
house. At another time I should not
have willingly tresp assed on tho domains
Of Oswald's father; but this was no oc-
casion for scruple or punctilio. Life
and death, as l knew, depended on my
speed.
There at length rose up before me the
milk thorn hedge, the impenetrable
thorns of which are often useful in keep
lug out leopard and jackal, which sur
rounded the plai ter's homestead and
passing through an open gate, 1 entered
The compound. The first servant that 1
met, and who lifted his hand to his tur-
ban with polite "Salaam !" and asrnile
that showed the white teeth between
his bearded lips, was man whom / knew,
a Mahratta groom, who had formerly
been in my fathers service, and whose
child l had nursed through au attack of
the Ceylon fever.
"Lall Singh " L gasped out, painting
for breath, do me Blindness for the
sake Of old bread and salt. Get me some
fresh milk quickly, for the love of God,
bnt ask 10 questiCns-bhai "
Something in my tone impressed the
Maliratta, for without word he hurried
of, and soon returned bearing jar of
lnllk and drinking vessel, or lota,
which would contain something less than
II pint. and which, at sign from me, he
filed with Il ilk. This very act, slight
rs it seems, was no small compliment,
for it was doubtless his own drinking
cup that Lall Singh was giving me, and
should any lip not belonging to one of
pure Hindu descent touch its FURNISHED
iim, it would hereafter be unfit for use.
However, l scarcely waited to utter a
word of thanks, but snatchad up the
brass lota and darted out.
It may be thought singular that I had
not given the alarm to the household at
Air. Forster's plantation; but had re-
solved that l would not, if l could do
my errand unquestioned, create tur-
moil which might bring about the very
evil against which l was striving. Os-
wald's mother and sisters loved him,
but their nerves were not of the strong
est, aud their outcries, had they heard
the news, would have had the effect OF
summoning q score of servants and
coolies, and to seal Oswald's fate by
sending a noisy posse of volunteers to
the place where he lay at the snakes
mercy.
AS if on winged feet, yet carrying the
precious draught of milk with jealous
care, hurried back to the spot where,
at the foot Of the huge talipot tree, lay
Oswald, yet asleep. The snake, how
ever, as though uneasy, was beginning
to stir. Its monstrous head wagged
slowly from side to side among the
white wild flowers, and its slender
tongue protruded from between its grim
jaws. But was in time, and as pour
ed the milk, or rather portion of it, on
the ground, so that long trail should
lead to the spot where 1 set down the
Erass drinking cup, with what of its
contents remained, 1 was careful to
avoid, by any abrupt gesture, incensing
the tic palunga.
Then came a minute or two of ago
nized expectancy, and then, to my great
Joy, saw the reptile slowly uncoil him
self, evidently making for the milk.
First one wreath and then another of the
snakes timber length was untwined.
onH tba nraat aarrapt h,,,ob;,o 4l,xo,,o.L