The Argosy — page 240: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A bout Snakes. 223 absolutely untamed, and whose very stroke is death, become subdued by a process which only a brave and skilful man knows how to use. With this prelude upon snakes let me relate a few anecdotes concerning them, some of which I have had from the lips of friends ; and some from my own personal experience. Snakes, snakes, snakes, of all shapes, sizes and colours, have I met with during my sojourn in India. From the majestic boa-constrictor, or python, sixteen or eighteen feet long, with the girth of a man’s _ body, to the tiny “ whip-snake,” a foot in length, and no thicker than _ the lash of a whip. ne _—_ SS Under my pillow, in my boot, in the garden-path, in the thatched roof of the bungalow, and even on the key-board of the organ in my church—in all places and at all times have I come across them. The first incident I have to relate occurred at N- , to which station I had been preferred as curate in charge. “Venus!” What sunny memories that name recalls; what tranquil hours in the flower-girdled parsonage! Venus had, and ever will have a cherished place in my affection and my memory. For more than two years she was my constant companion, my bosom _ friend. She accompanied me in my walks, sat at my table, slept on my bed. Moreover was not Venus the goddess of beauty as well as of love? Full of grace was her every movement; with a skin whiter than the driven snow; large lustrous black eyes, which Juno herself — _ might have envied—who could compare with her? Ever responsive to my call, she returned my love by unmistak- able signs; and more than all, she saved my life. Such was Venus. And after all, Venus was only a cat; a snow-white Persian cat. But to my narrative. On a certain Sunday morning in the year 1858 I rose, as was my custom, at about five o’clock, and as I put my feet out of bed, Venus, in her fondling way, came to wish me good morning. After some mutual endearments I walked towards the bath-room, to indulge in that first and greatest luxury of an Indian day, a cold bath. My bed-room was divided from the bath-room by a dressing- room, and as I entered the latter, Venus, as if. impelled by some curious instinct, hurried on before me. Instead of entering the _bath-room, however, to my surprise she suddenly paused on the threshold and stood as if transfixed. Her fur stood on end, making _ her twice her usual size; her eyes were dilated with fear and rage, and her speech spat out anger. I remained motionless for a moment, for I felt that danger was at _ hand, though I knew not in what shape it threatened me; but only for a moment; for immediately out of the depths of the bath-room | a huge cobra sprang forward and barred the way. With erected body, eyes scintillating with devilry, and expanded hood, it swayed to and fro over the cat, hissing with fury. I wish I _ could have photographed that picture of the cat and cobra ready for CONnNIECLIOO cs) (CO)