HIS BNAKE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 99, 29 April 1895, Page 4

HIS BNAKE.

Mox O'Rell confesses to au uncoutrollabls fenr of- snakes, nnd when in Australia, ho slept one night iv a region which tbo laudloid confessed was infested with them, he lay down to rest in q> very unhap; y frame of mind. Heat and mo .- quitots kef t him awake for some time, butfiually he dropped off to sleep, and awoke so hot that it seemed preforab lo to givo bis haiidj ai.d nrms over to the mosquitoes rather than to remain wrapred up iv tho bedclothes*. Sd, keeping tho Bhcec atill over his face, ho pub his aras outside and luid hia bauds on the quilt. Ho writes :— My blood frezi iv my veiu?. I had laid my bands on a enako stretched oat beside mo on the bed. Yet, a snake, a real, long, si. ike, cold aud motionless as dcatb. A cold perspiration broke out all ovor me. I was gluod to the bed, paralysed with fear. 'J he emike etirred not a muscle, nor did I. By means of an imperceptible movement of my kneop, I came to the couclu.siou that it must be about three feet loug. That is the length of the terrible death adder. It mado my poor brain reel to think tho hon id brute was there ready to give cue my death wheu it should wake. L was Roiag crezy, and I feli that a light was tho only thing that could bring back my wito. 1 would hive uo moro suspense. 1 would strike a match and have the euemy face to fac\ I pub out my liglib baud afjd roached the matchbox tlaac stood on a tubic by tho bed. This was a little mai usivre which cook quite ten minutes to execute. Without moviug, and after frantic precautions I tucceeded in lighting tbo ooudlc. The snake did not stir, I was emboldened, aud went so far as to uncover half my head and steal a glauco down the bod. l'horo it was sure enough, motionless still and Btraighb as a live. I took courage, and after ten minutes speut in imperceptiblo eflort?, I at rived at the edge of the bed, aud stealthily vacated it, I was going to look tor my trusty ! walliiug-stick, resolved to sell my life as dearly as possible. I looked ou tho mantelpiece, on tho chest of drawers, iv every corner ol tho room. Whero ou earth could i hat stick biP I took up tho light, aud fetliug now onco moro iv possession of my IlcuUicb, drew near aid looked at the snake. Well, well ! Is it possible lor a mnu to be Buch a fool F