A NIGHT WITH A COBRA. 345 



the edge of the copper basin, thus putting a full stop to a 

 thrilling period. 



A Night with I was on a visit during the rainy season, a few 

 a Cobra. years ago, says a recent writer, when I slept upon 

 an iron bedstead which had two lots of bedding on it. The 

 first night I awoke, as I thought with a horrible nightmare, 

 feeling the cold slimy body of a snake gliding over my person, 

 and imagining myself in the regions described in Milton's 

 Paradise Lost, and so wondrously drawn by Dore. I was 

 bathed in perspiration, and trembled all over till daylight 

 brought relief, and I convinced myself it must have been 

 merely a nightmare. But the next night I again awoke in 

 terror, feeling the same awful sensation of a cold, clammy body 

 gliding gently along my side, and passing with a wriggle over 

 my body ; terror preventing me moving. Whether I fainted 

 or again fell asleep I have never been able to decide, but at 

 daylight I fled from the room and sat cowering in the verandah, 

 in a state of mind bordering on insanity. My hostess was in- 

 formed of my state, and got me round with a glass of wine. 

 Nothing could induce me to re-enter my bedroom. The 

 bearer and other domestics were sent for, and headed by the 

 mistress of the house, inspected the bed by removing the sheets. 

 Nothing was to be seen till one of the servants brushed his leg 

 against something soft and cold, and looked down at the junc- 

 tion of the two beddings ; he saw the end of a dark-coloured 

 tail. A howl from him scattered the servants and made me 

 imagine the snake was about to attack me. The valiant ser- 

 vants again assembled, and with sticks entered the bedroom 

 and poked off the upper bedding, revealing a large hooded 

 cobra coiled in the centre, which was eventually despatched 

 by blows. 



An Unpieas- A soldier in a regiment stationed at C 



ant Bedfellow. waS} f or disorderly conduct, condemned to pass 

 the night in one of the cells. Just as he was going to sleep 

 he was startled by hearing a noise, which he knew could only 



