THE COBRA. 343 



ful though threatening hood, erects its neck, and commences a 

 series of undulating movements, which are continued until the 

 sound of the fife ceases, when the snake instantly drops, and is 

 replaced in its basket by its master. 



Snake " One morning, as I sat at breakfast," says a 



Charming. wr it e r in the Penny Magazine, " I heard a loud 

 noise and shouting among my palankeen bearers. On enquiry, 

 I learned that they had seen a large hooded snake, and were 

 trying to kill it. I immediately went out, and saw the snake 

 creeping up a very high green mound, whence it escaped into 

 a hole, in an old wall of an ancient fortification ; the men 

 were armed with their sticks, which they always carry in their 

 hands, and had attempted in vain to kill the reptile, which had 

 eluded their pursuit, and in his hole had coiled himself up 

 securely, whilst we could see his bright eyes shining. I had 

 often desired to ascertain the truth of the report, as to the effect 

 of music upon snakes. I therefore enquired for a snake- 

 catcher. There was one about three miles off, and I accord- 

 ingly sent for him, keeping a strict watch over the snake, which 

 never attempted to escape, whilst we, his enemies, were in 

 sight. About an hour elapsed, when my messengers returned, 

 bringing a snake-catcher. This man wore no covering on his 

 head, nor any on his person, excepting a small piece of cloth 

 round his loins ; he had in his hands two baskets, one con- 

 taining tame snakes, the other empty ; these, and his musical 

 pipe, were the only things he had with him. I made the 

 snake-catcher leave his two baskets on the ground, at some 

 distance, while he ascended the mound with his pipe alone. 

 He began to play ; at the sound of music the snake came grad- 

 ually and slowly out of his hole. When he was entirely within 

 reach, the snake-catcher seized him dexterously by the tail, 

 and held him thus at arm's length, while the snake, enraged, 

 darted his head in all directions, but in vain ; thus suspended, 

 he has not the power to round himself, so as to seize hold of 

 his tormentor. He exhausted himself in vain exertions ; when 



