The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-07

be should awake, and in awaking, by
some hasty movement, arouse the ire OF
tho resistless foe. 0swIld was brave
knu u...--, .--,,...~4J s""r d.
of strength or courage when 80 terrible
an antagonist was ia question
Suddenly, as if it had been whisper
from heaven, there came into my mind a
thought that PROMISED hope, even in
that dire extremity of need. / had of.
4 ten seen harmless snakes kept tame in
colonial households, and was aware Of
their habits, and of their love for certain
kinds of food, and, above all, for milk.
Could but bring to that spot a supply
of milk, and place it, before Oswald
should awake, tetnptingly near to the
tic palunga, all might yet be well. And
yet to desert him-poor fellow-in such
terrible company, seemed cruel; yet it
was for his saRe, and felt tlat l must
60. Very slowly, then, lest my footsteps
should disturb the sleeper or irritate the
huge reptile that kept watch beside him,
l stole away, and when at safe dis
tance, flew, rather than ran, along the
forest path.
The nearest European dwelling was
Oswalds own home. There were Cinga-
lese huts nearer, no doubt, where dwelt
some of Mr.. Forster's hired men, but
should not be able to procure what
sought save from the planters house.
At another time should not have will
lingly trespassed on the domains of Os-
wald's father; but this was no occasion
for scruple or punctilio. Life and
death, as l knew depended on my
speed.
There, at length, rose up before me,
the milkthorn-hedge, the impenetrable
thorns of which are useful in keeping
out leopard and jackal, which surrounded
the planters homestead; and passing
through an open gate, entered the
compound. The first servant that met,
and who lifted his hand to his snow
white turban with polite "salaam! !"
and a smile that showed the white
teeth between his bearded lips, was
man whom | knew, Mahratta
groom, who had formerly been in my
fathers service, and whose child had
nurSed through an attack of Ceylon
fever.
"Lall singh!" I gasped out, painting
for breath, edo me a kindness for the
sake of old bread and salt Get me some
fresh milk quickly, for the love of God,
but ask no questions !"
Something in my tone impressed the
Mahratta, for without a word he hurried
off and soon returned, bearing jar of
milk and drinking vessel, or lota, which
would contain something less than a
pint, and which, at a sign from me, he
filled with milk. This very act, slight
as it may seem, 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
rim, it would hereafter be unfit for use.
However. l scarcely waited to utter a
word of thanks, but snatched up the
brass lota and darted out.
1t may be thought singular that I
had not given the alarm to the house
hold at Mr.. Forster's plantation; but l
had resolved that wculd not. if could
do my errand unquestioned, create a
turmoil which might bring about the
very evil against which | was striving.
Oswald's mother and sisters loved him,
but their nerves wern not of the strongest,
and their outcries, had they heard the
news, would have had the effect of sum-
moning score of servants and coolies,
and to seal Oswald's fate by sending
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 however,
as though uneasy, was beginning to stir.
Its monstrous head wagged slowly from
side to side among the white wild flowers,
and it's slender tongue protruded from
between its grim jaws But ! was in time,
and, as l poured the milk, or rather
q portion of it, on the ground, so that
long trail should lead to the spot where
set down the brass drinking-cup, with
What of it's contents remained, was
careful to avoid, by any abrupt gesture,
incensing the tic palunga.
Then came a minute or two of agonized
expectancy, and then, to my great joy,
saw the reptile slowly uncoil himself,
evidently making for the milk. First
one wreath and then another of the
snakes timber was untwined, and the
great serpent, brushing through the
forest grass and aowerets, stopped its
! il IL