Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-10-24
WATCHED BY A COBRA.

AN%N-NANNA~A-A
de Janeiro called Tijuca and there
foreigners wend their way during the
hot season to escape the yellow fever
that annually makes petshouse OF
the seaport. Through Tijuca runs
one OF the most beautiful roads in the
world, called the Floresta, and
skirting it are residences that during
the Summer months, September to
March, are occupied by Americans
and Englishmen.
Years ago the president OF the Rio
Gas Company erected a spacious
mansion somewhat back of the Flor
esta and in the wilds OF the Brazilian
forest. In 1855 he was stricken with
the fever and compelled to go to
Europe for recuperation. While
abroad the use OF his house was Sc
cured by Capt. Henry S. Wetmore,
then representing the Board of Marine
Underwriters OF the United States on
Che east coast of South America.
Capt Wetmore has often said that
the spot was the most lovely he had
ever seen-a veritable Garden OF Eden
But as IN Eden, the snakes made life
an unpleasant existence at times in
deed even dangerous. Coral snakes
would lie in little groups on the road
way leading to the Floresta, the
beautiful colors OF their scales shining
I'm tine sunlight and, so shining, warning
pedestrians, for their bite is deadly.
Ayoung lady reclining in hammock
at this villa one day heard rust
hing IN the grass, and looking
through the netting espied an
eu0rnIoUs cobra gliding down the side
OF the bank, until it lay stretched
out IN full length directly under her.
She was too frightened to move, and
this, commonly termed presence OF
mind" saved her life, for the corbra's
bite Is as deadly as the coral snakes.
The reptile rested under that ham
n1ock several minutes. The day was
hot and the thoroughly frightened re-
elmer said she watched it's forked
tongle flash in and out as though
seeking a cool breath OF air; then
slowly it giided away into the foliage,
while the fair occupant OF the ham
mock FASTENED with rather more
speed IN the opposite direction.
It was about one of these cobras
that the temporary inhabitants OF
the Tijuca villa tells a thrilling
story with a sequel that shows what
expert marksmen are turned out OF
West Point.
Engaged on the grounds OF this
summer residence was q man known
as Manuel Ii he had ever been bless
ed with any other name he had long
forgotten it. Manuel belonged to that
Hover class OF Portuguese who, in the
year mentioned, knew even less than
the then negro slaves. He was small
of stature, but OF great strength and
as willing as a horse. And. indeed, he
was treated and expected to be treat
ed Just as any other animal. Twice a
day he would come into the kitchen
for his meals, and when given soup,
meat and pudding would mix them all
UP in large bowl, then eat the mel
anse with apparent relish. "They all
mix inside he said, why not out
outside?"
T'he servants quarters were located
about 109 yards from the house, Just
ON the edge OF q grove of bamboo.
MaMalel slept upon little iron bed
In a saaaall room on the ground floor.
He never ndressed-indeed he never
took of his clothes, having natural
antipathy 70 water, and he always
slept with the door to his room wide
open, although frequently warned that
some night he would repent it.
Edward was the cook at the villa,
and it was his wont TO rise before day
break and battle III small lake on
the premises, access to which was past
Che stables; for Edward had room
an the house. Manuel being the only
occupant OF the outbuilding. One
morning as the cook was on the way
60 the lake he glanced into the
gardeners room and was rooted to
the spot by the sight he saw. There
lay Manuel upon his back, sleeping
heavily, with his hands under the back
of his head Coiled around the head
o6 the iron bed was q cobra, one OF
tho largest OF the species. The
reptiles tail protruded from be-
meath the couch and its head was
swaying back and forth as it to all APP
pearanees examined its new quarters
Occasionally the head would dive
down and the forked tongue would
dart TO within an inch of the sleepers
face, then be withdrawn, and it seemed
as though the snake wished to see its
victim move before it struck the fatal
bIOw Edward, the cook, was within
ten feet of the door and had fortunate
Nv made no noise. He dropped to his
Knees, then crawled carefully away
gIntn a safe distance from the spot
when lac rose and ran to the house
awakened the occupants, and told a;
EeIIas he could-for his words had tc
Gun an opposition sound to his chat
GeriDg teeth--of the peril Manuel was
Sn.
Capt. Wetmore seized a Winchester
whea he realized the situation, anC
Trnsnisau into his trousers hasten