AN UNPLEASANT BKDFKLLOW. 



Rearing itself aloft, against the background of moonlight, it had the appearance 

 of being stamped in ink on a fleecy curtain: the outlines could not have been more 

 distinct had the sun been in the zenith. 



One glance was enough: it was a cobra de capello, the most dreaded serpent of 

 11 India, whose venom has a malignancy that approaches the miraculous. A bite 



from tkis reptile is the death-warrant of the victim, as assuredly as if he were 

 mitten by a bolt from heaven. 



The terpent had undoubtedly been attracted by the warmth of the lad's body, 

 and had coiled on the blanket which lay over his lower limbs while he w.as asleep, 

 snd, of course, after Mr. Godkin had also lain down and lost consciousness. 



