The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28
[FkARFuL PARrNER Ar cARps.
IExehanRN.l

! [ExeAange.l It vas in our quarters at Calcutta. We had been playing all the evening at whist Our stake had hsen gold mohur points, and twenty on the rubber. MaAey, who as always lucky, had won Eve con secutive bampIrss which lent selfsatis- Ss1 smile % his continuance. and made us, the losers, look anything but pleased, when he suddenly changed coun,enance, and hesitated to play. Thss the mare say- pTised us, since he was one who seldom pondered. being so perfectly master Of the game that he deemed long consider ation superAuous.
 "Play away, MAxsy; what are you about2' impatiently demanded Church. hull, one ot the most impe,uous youths that ever wore the uniform ot the body guard.
 Hush Y responded Maxey, in a tone which thrilled through uS at the saAe time turning deadly pale. "Ate you unwell9 said another, about to start up, for be believed our friend had suddenly taken ill.
 "For the love of God, sit quiet l" re- joined the other, in a tone deoo,ing ex. treme fear or pain, and he laid down hts cards. "lt you value my life, move not"
 What can he mean ?-has he taken leave of his senses?" demanded Churchill, appealing to m self.
 "Don't start-don't move, 1 tell you," in a sort of whisper, which never can forget, uttered Maxey. "lf you make any sudden motion 1 am dead man
 We exchanged looks. He continued:
 Remain quiet, and all may yet be well. have cobra capella round my leg
 Our first impulse was to draw back our chars but an appealing look from the victim induced Us 10 ,emain, although we were aware that should the reptile transfer but one fold, and attach itselt to any other of the parry, that indivAual might already be counted as dead man, so fatal is the bite of that dreaded monster.
 Poor Maxey was dressed as many old residents still dress in India. namely, m brooches and silk stockings he, there fore, the more plainly felt every move ment of the snake. His countenance as. sumed lisid hue; the words seemed to leave his mouth without that feature al- tering it's position, so rigid was his look, and so fearful was he lest the slightest muscular movement should alarm the serpent, and hasten his fatal bite. We were in agony little less than his own during the scene.
 "He is coiling round!' murmured Maxey; "I feel him cold-cold to my iimb; aud now he :;gh:ens! Fe. the love of heaven call for some milk Il dare not speak aloud. Le, it be placed on the ground near me: let some be split on the foor."
 Churchill cautiously gave the order, and servant slipped out of the room. Don't stir, Northcote-you moved your head by everything sacred, con- jure you not to do so again! It cannot be long ere my fate is decided. have wife and two children in Europe; tell them that died blessing them-that my last prayers were for them the snake is winding itself around my leg-I leave them all possess-i can almost f. ncy feel his breath !'
 The milk was brought and carefully put down; few drops was sprinkled on the floor, and the affrighted servant drew back. Again Maxey spoke:
 No, no 1t has no effect. On the contrary, he has olasped himself tighter he has uncur!ed his upper fold dare not look down, but am sure he is abou, to draw back, and give the bite of death with more fatal precision. Receive me, 0, Lord, and pardon me my last hour is come.' Again he pauses. q die firm but this is past endurance. An! no, he has undone another fold, and leosens himself Can he be going to some one else" We involuntarily started. "For the love of heaven, stir not! I'm a dead man but bear with me. He still loosens he is about to dart! Move not, but beware! Oh, this agony is too hard to bearl Another pressure, and am dead. No, he re- laxes he relaxes!'
 At that moment poor Maxey ventured to look down. The snake had unwound himself; the last coil had fallen, and the reptile was making for the milk.
 "I am saved saved Y and Maxey bounded from his chair, and fell sense. less into the arms of one of the servants. In another instant, need it be added, we were all dispersed, and the snake was