The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-01-26
THE CHETAH.


few days sport among the hills near
Amulpore, but on the second day out the
accidental discharge of gun in the hands
of a careless young Irish lieutenant made
an end to my "bush beating" and nearly
made an end of me. My native servant,
by some inexplicable means, discovered
bungalow in the midst of the wilds-the
home of an English gentleman, a retired
army surgeon, who for reasons best known
to himself quit the society of men and
lodged like a bittern in SOLITARY and
waste places. =" Thither was carried. For
weeks my life hung on thread, but
thanks to strong constitution and care
full nursing | pulled through and soon
found myself convalescent.
My host proved most agreeable COM
panion. We had many tastes in common
and found pleasant topic for conversation
as we sat smoking our cheroots on the
broad veranda. One evening while argyll
ing on the respective merits of a ~ bore
or 500 express rife as the best means of
bringing down big game the doctor was
called away.
Left to myself, sought amusement in
watching the movements of white heron
that stalked awkwardly about in the shall
low pools that lay on the lawn. The rain
fell in gentle gatherings. A slight breeze
stirred the vines about the pillars and rus
tied the fringed palm leaves overhead.
How peaceful and quiet it was The splash
of the rain and the faint sounds of the
rustling foliage were all that broke the
surrounding stiffness.
Where he came from cannot tell, but
all at once through the faint blue smoke
of my cheroot appeared little, withered
fakir peering at me from under the loose
folds of his dirty turban. His skinny
brown body was naked, save the presence
of piece of tiger skin wrapped about his
loins and a belt that ran across his body
from shoulder to waist. He was mutter-
ing to himself, but the only words that ]
could catch were "Brahma, Brahma, Ra.
dhe-fusee.
Surprise made me speechless. simply
stared at the wizened face and glittering
black eyes, wondering what he was going
to do. The sound of the swinging purdah
told of Walworth's return.
"Did you think that l had forsaken
your" he said lightly. "Thura's inter
views are interminable. He is as long
winded as tipsy Irishman."
half turned toward him while he was
speaking. As he came around and re-
sumed his chair / said in an undertone,
"What do you think of this FOSSIL"
"What fossil?" he asked.
1.-THE one before us, " | replied, turning
and looking at the place where the fakir
had stood. No fakir was there. On the
gravel walk laya half coiled cobra Wal
worth started to his feet and called for
Maria to bring him gun. The cobra lay
quiet for moment as if in contemplation
of the situation, then, at the sound of APP
preaching feet, with slow and graceful
movement and erect head, slid across the
sodden grass and disappeared through an
opening under the veranda.
Rather a dangerous fossil, " said Wal
worth, eying me curiously. "The men
must keep q watch for him. You are
cool one, must confess, my lad"
81 was not abiding to the SNAKE" re-
piled |. 81 had reference to the fakir.
wonder what became of the poor wretch.
The cobra frightened him away, l suppose.
What are you about?" continued, seeing
Maria coming from the bungalow with
slender reed pipe in one hand and chatting
dish, on which burned an odorous, smok-
ing fire, in the other.
"a charm for his snakeship," said my
host, laughing. ga cloud of aromatic in
cense and serenade on the toumril."
But neither the incense nor the seduc-
tive strains of the toumril were sufficiently
potent to call the cobra from his covert.
"That no time cobra, - said Maria. "Sa-
hib saw fakir, but all at once no fakir,
only snake. Maria knows"
His tones were mysterious. smiled and
looked at his master. GA metamorphosis,
ehP" Walworth nodded ga clear case of
theosophy. Pythagoras at a slight dis
count" / continued. Walworth looked
grave. He dismissed the servant with
wave of his hand, threw away his cigar,
which had gone out, shifted his position
slightly and leaned more comfortably in
his chair.
"You are skeptical," he said. "Listen
to what have to tell you. Perhaps then
you will believe.
81 was "A much younger man than you
when | came to India. was surgeon of
the Fusileers. Shortly after we were sta
toned at the fort l was invited to an en-
tertainment given by native nobleman
at his palace in the city. The scene remind
ed me of the Arabian Nights Oriental
magnificence was mingled with European
elegance. We were received in an open
courtyard, spread with cream colored Vac
rugs, in the center of which a fountain
played in white marble basin, cooling
the air with its perfumed spray. / halted
at the upper step of the stairway and stood
leaning with one hand on the broad rail
ing, watching the kaleidoscope scene be-
fore me. Our colonel and his wife stopped
for moment to speak to me. AS they
turned to go Mrs. Belden's name was call
ed, and little lower down, with a.screen
of palms and flowers for background,
was young girl. / thought had never
seen one so beautiful.
''She was dark, but her skin was pale,
transparent brown, flushed with the Grim.
son of rose leaf. Her lips were carmine
opening as she smiled over teeth as white
as pearls. Her soft, lusterless black hair
was drawn up from her temples and caught