The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-20
SAVED BY HIS SWEETHEART.

hOmhhliO AhVluehb In Gnc lSlhnu Ol OeylOns
a correspondent from the Island OF
Ceylon sends the following account of a
miraculous escape from the tangs of
tic paluRgd, a species of the cobra snake,
some llmes found on that beautiful
island.
A young lady, daughter of wealthy
planter, had been in the habit of meeting
her lover at certain hours beside a
ruined summer-house which stood on
the edge of large tank or artificial lake
near the plantation. One day, going as
usual to the trystlng-place, to her horror
and surprise she perceived her lover
asleep under shade OF gigantic palm
tree, while around one OF his legs was
loosely coiled something that resembled
stout rope, curiously streaked with
black and orange and white--someth thing
that caused the withered leaves ana
crisp grass to rustic as it stirred.
She knew at the first glance that the
snake-tor such it was before her was
no other than a large specimen OF that
dreaded reptile, the tic pdtupgG, that
takes the place in Ceylon that III Con-
tinental India belongs to the cobra, and
for the bite Of which there is no known
remedy. The great fat head of the ven-
omous snake rested on the ground
see its eyes, bright as jewels, fixed upon
her. 1t showed 1or the moment, how
ever, no particular signs OF aug II or dis
trust, but contented itself by quietly
contemplating the intruder upon It's
1 lands.
AS she stood gazing on her sleeping
lover and The monstrOuS creature that
| lay wakeful but quiescenG SO near to
| him, all the stories of snakes that she
had ever heard or read about came
crowding into her memory. She knew
that the tic pdtungd, i'll common with
| most OF the Venom0us varieties of its
race, seldom employs its poisonous
| iangs unless when attacked or annoyed.
But she also knew that the hardest
| elephant hunter of the forest would
| sooner confront the charge OF Il herd Of
incensed tuskers than face the lance
| like dart and rancor0us bite OF this
| dread denizen of the jungle. The tic
| pQLatlQd, unlike the boa and the python,
| rarely ii ever preys upon the larger ami
| mails, such as deer or cattle, cOntini ng
! It's diet tor tue most part to birds, frogs
and lizards.
Some caprice most likely had caused
| it 10 twine part of its supple c0nvolu-
| tions around the man as he lay, aud SO
| long as he remained asleep and notion
|
pent would harm him. She was aware
OF the habits of the snake, and knew of
it's inordinate liking tor milk. Very
slowly, lest her footsteps should dis
lurb the sleeper or anger the huge rep
| Tile that kept watch beside him, she stole
away, and when at safe distance flew,
rather than ran along the forest path,
toward the plantation.
Arriving at the house, she procured of
a native servant a jar Of milk, and as if
on winged leet, yet carrying the pre-
cous dfaught with jealous care, she hur-
ried back 10 the spOC where at the foot of
the huge palm lay the lover yet asleep.
The snake, however, as though uneasy,
was beginning to stir. Its monstrous
head wagged slowly from side TO side
among the wild white flowers, and its
slender tongue protfuded from its grim
jaws.
But she was in time, aud poured the
milk, or rather a portion of IL, on the
ground, so that u trail should lead from
the spot to where she put down the jar OF
catty with what of its contents re-
mained, careful to avoid, by any abrupt
gesture, inCehsing the tic pdluRgd. Then
came minute or two oI aguuiZed ex.
pectancy, then, to her great JOY, she saw
the reptile slowly uncoil Itself, ,eVidenlly
making lOf Ile mllk'
First one wreath, then another of the
snakes timber length was entwined, and
the great serpent, brushing through the
forest grass and flowers, stopped its
broad head to drink. AS she saw her
lover thus freed and the unsuspected
toe drawn further and further away
from the place where he reposed, the
strength which had supported her gave
way, and she grew dizzy and weak and
could scarcely stand or see, and in an
other moment everything became a
blank. She had tainted.
While in this state she heard the
sound OF fierce struggle, repeated
blows, tramping feet and "a confused din
| of human voices. When she returned to
perfect consciousness she was safe in
| her lovers arms, surrounded by an
| army OF native servants. 10 the SER
want of whom she had procured the milk
she was indebted for the safety of her.
self and lover.
Convinced from her agitated manner
that something was wrong, he had col
| lected the plantation hands and followe
her, and ar. ived with them on the
ground just as she shr.eked and fell, and
| in time to overpower and kill the hide.
GUS monster before he could attack her
or her lover who was just aroused and
coming to the rescue.