CHAP. vi. AN UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOW. 139 



rest-house at Kandellai, when I saw a snake about four 

 feet long glide in at the open door, and, as though ac- 

 customed to a particular spot for his lodging, he at 

 once climbed upon another sofa and coiled himself 

 under the pillow. My brother had only just risen 

 from this sofa, and was sitting at the table watching 

 the movements of his uninvited bedfellow. I soon 

 poked him out with a stick, and cut off his head 

 with a hunting-knife. This snake was of a very poison- 

 ous description, and was evidently accustomed to 

 lodge behind the pillow, upon which the unwary 

 sleeper might have received a fatal bite. Upon 

 taking possession of an unfrequented rest-house, the 

 cushions of the sofas and bedsteads should always 

 be examined, as they are great attractions to snakes, 

 scorpions, centipedes, and all manner of reptiles. 



