The morning call., 1891-05-20
THE FALSE FRIEND.
BY MARLToN DOWNING.

BY MARLToN DOWNING.
"Will Jewett Sahib see the dog Of a Hin
doc snake-charmer? If so, he awaits with
out. Oh the verandah," said a MahOmmedan
servant to his English employer, as he en-
tered the cool bungalow of the latter, stu
ated in the suburbs Of the city of Bombay,
India.
yes, Ben ALL you may admit him." was
the reply. And then hasten to Carlton
Sahib-you know his abode on Mala bar
Hill. Tell him to have his guns in readi-
ness, for we shall start on our shooting trip
to the Chants at daylight tomorrow"
To hear is to obey, sahib," and with
a profound salaam the MuSsulman with
drew.
Left alone, the eyes of the proprietor of
the establishment assumed a strange gilt
ter, while a sardonic smile 0verspread his
not unhandsome features. and he nut
tered to himself: "Was it the fiends who
suggested this plan of Kidding me of a
rival? Pshaw Whether iends or saints
it matters not so that it effects my pur-
pose"
The man had scarcely finished speaking
when the door was slowly opened anu a
native glided quickly into the room. lie
seemed to be OF considerable age, Judging
from his wrinkled and sWarthy YlSage.
In one hand the fakir carried bag made
or the strong grass which grows so uXuri-
antly in the JuugleS Of India, and III the
other be held a long reed.
Dep0Sting his load the uindOO Frustrated
himself before the white man until his fora
head touched the floor, and in this ssrylle
position remained until hidden to rise by
his patron
"You have succeeded in obtaining the
Yen0mOus reptile which babe you pro-
cure?" questioned Jewett fixing his eyes,
keenly upon his duSky visitor.
The sahib will see" replied the cOOlie
opening the mouth of the sack which he
had brought, and allowing three OF the
most dreaded specimens OF the reptile king
dom, the cobra di capell0, to worm them
selves forth into sight
Involuntary the European started and
moved further away, but the ctiarmer passed
his wrinkled and buny hands over the heads
Of his hooded pets CareSsingy, and re-
NAMED silent
Recovering himself somewhat the English
man SAID:
Surely these must be harmless Their
venom has been extracted, else my HindOo
friend would not fendle them so freely"
The sahib speaks the truth. But why
should the slave have spent four days IN
the jungle if not to obey the orders Of his
master" aud The ldkjT removed the heavy
scarlet turban from his head and placed It
upon the straw mating before him. Then
from within its yOlumlnous folds he drew
forth another sCTpcut, smaller perhaps than
the others, but vigorous ana lively, Il could
be seen as it writhed and struggled in tie
grasp of the native.
And does this possess the full strength
Of its yenom? asked JewetL
The hand Of SALIVA could not strike a
more deadly blew"
1T IS we'll Now put it carefully in this
box l do not wish to handle him myself;
and, with this, Jewett produced a small
mahogany dueillns plStOl-case.
The HindO0 quickly slipped the reptile
into the receptacle, closed the lid and held it
down while the Englishman turned the key
in the lock.
much money am l to give you?"
If the sahib will grant his servant ten
rupees he viii fell that he has been paid for
his labor"
VERY well, here it is. Now 20, and
mind, forget that you ever sold a cobra di
capello TO an Englishman."
The sahib shall be obeyed, replied the
charmer as he gathered up his remaining
pets and bowed himself out Of the apart
meDt.
When the Hindoo had gone, Jewett placed
his ear to the box and listened to the rust
ling of the reptile within.
Now he exclaimed aloud, the Par
sees daughter shall be mine, for you, my
dumb slave, shall do my bidding and rid me
Of a rival"
Three DAYS later Ernest Carlton, a young
American, and his supposed friend, Ralph
Jewett were resting IN a travellers bunga-
low ON the side Of the Giants (mOuntains),
preparatory to pungIDG into the jungle on
an extended hunting tour. They were &C
comranied by two MOhammedan servants
and four gun-Oearers.
~ propose, Ernest" began Jewett, as he
lighted pipe, after the sun drops little
more, that we push on into the forest and
commence to rough IT at once"
81 heartily agree with you, Ralph, and as
it is not nearly SO hot as it might be l am for
starting directly.
"Verv we'll" replied Jewett.
Accordingly within half an hour the two
white men aud their little band Of followers
were beneath the shade of the dense foliage
of an Indian jungle.
$50, my friend Ernest you are really to
wed a daughter of the Fire WorShipers 2"
Eyes, Jewett, | am. That is, one who was
a daughter of a Fire Worshiper, but you
must remember that the family of the
Cowajre- Hitajee have renounced their for
mer religion and are now Christians. Yes
Ralph, we are to be married, and you, my
friend, shall be the best man al the we'd
"Truly, I shall be the best man when the
lovely daughter of the wealthy Parsee is
married." muttered the Euglishman to him.
self. But aloud he remarked, II shall be
only too happy to serve you"
The conversation was prolonged some
time, the one expatiating on the loneliness
of his fiancee, and the other offering hollow
and insincere congratulations uutil the place
for the proposed camp was reached.
Two hammOcks were stretched, and the
white men, weary with the exerti0ns IF the
day, lay resting and chatting pleasantly to
gether. The natives we're gathered about a
little fire at which they had cooked their
evening meal.
Dear me, what is the matter with this
pipe of mine? cannot keep it lighted.
Here, boy, bring me- a brand. But stay, |
will get il myself" So saying the treacher-
Gus European slipped to the ground. He did
not at once proceed to the fire. but, instead,
took the mahogany case which he had con-
cealed in his hammock, threw back the lock
and caTeleSsly approached his Tecumbent
friend, who, unsuspecting any evil, was
quietly smoking.
1t was the work Of a moment only 10 open
the lid, allow the reptile to escape into the
swinging couch Of the American, and then
the traitor stepped over 10 the side of the
coolies
Scarcely had Jewets picked brand from
out the emDers When loud shrek from
Carlton woke the stiffness of the jungle.
any God Raiphl QuickP' he shouted in
terror. Here is a snake in my hammock.
| believe he has bitten me, too, for | felt a
fierce blow on the back of my hand"
In an instant all eyes were turned upon
Ernest Carlton, who was sitting upright and
clutching the writhing cobra about midway
of the body. while the serpent was striking
vigorously at the unprotected wrist OF the
young man.
The success of his nefarious scheme
To Lir,,snlE a,,d In. j.