YKNOM 133 



age to swallow a viper 's venom? Ah! I should 

 not have been so brave." This from Claire. 



"It is fortunate, my girl, that others have been 

 so for us; and we <>imht to be very grateful to them, 

 for by so doing tli y 

 have taught us, as 

 you will see, the most 

 prompt and one of 

 the most efficacious 

 means to employ in 

 case of accident. " 



"This viper's ven- 



om, Which has no ef- 



feet on the hand, lips, and tongue, is it much to be 

 feared if it mingles with the blood V 9 



"It is terrible, my young lady, and I was just go- 

 ing to tell you about it. Let us suppose that some 

 imprudent person disturbs the formidable reptile 

 sleeping in the sun. Suddenly the creature uncoils 

 itself in circles one above another, unwinds with the 

 suddenness of a spring, and, with its jaws wide open, 

 strikes you on the hand. It is done in the twinkling 

 of an eye. \Yith the same rapidity the viper refolds 

 its spiral and draws back, continuing to menace you 

 with its head in the center of the coil. You do not 

 u.i it for a second attack, you flee; but, alas! the 

 <l;miage is done. On the wounded hand are seen 

 two little red points, almost insignificant, mere 

 needle pricks. It is not very alarming; you reas- 

 sure yourself if you are in ignorance of what I so 

 (-mic-stly desire to teach you. Delusive imiocous 

 ness! See tin- n-d spots becoming encircled with a 



