ADVENTURE WITH A COBRA DI CAPELLO. 231 



for the first time, I saw the hood glistening in the moon- 

 light. It was a Cobra di Capello, the most venomous ser- 

 pent of the East. Shading my eyes to exclude the 

 dreadful sight, I lay almost fainting, until all was again 

 quiet. Had its fiery glance met mine, all would have 

 been over, but, apparently, it was once more asleep ; and 

 presently I thought I heard the Parsee moving about, as if 

 about to rise. "With a desperate effort, I cried out. 

 " Help, Parsee !" "Aye!" was the- quiet response, 

 lay still again, for the serpent, evidently roused, made a 

 movement, and its head fell on my naked arm. In the 

 keen agony of that moment, when I seemed about to lose 

 all control of myself, I debated whether I should again 

 attempt to attract the attention of the Parsee, or remain 

 entirely quiet, or whether it would not be better than 

 either to start up and shake the reptile from me. But 

 the latter suggestion was instantly abandoned, because of 

 the assurance I felt that it would prove fatal. Impeded 

 by the heavy folds of the serpent, and weak from excite- 

 ment, I could not escape its fangs. Again I spoke with 

 hollow but distinct tones, " Parsee, a lantern ! Quick, 

 Parsee, a lantern !" Oh ! that welcome sound ! " I am 

 bringing it, sir." There was a sound of clanking metal 

 light flashed across the floor and at the noise of the 

 coming step, one after another the terrible coils unwinding, 

 the grisly monster glided away from my body, and as the 



