FROM AN INDIAN VERANDAH.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 126, 25 February 1873, Page 2

FROM AN INDIAN VERANDAH.

FroP' We start to see a large lizard on the mat, and minus an inch or two of bis tail, which has broken oft' in the creatu e'V tumble from the rafters overhead Tho severed trt.il wrisjglei about as if endued with 'distinct life, while the late proprietor of the phenomenon su«aki mvr&y somewhat sluggishly, and as if partly stunnfcd by his tumble. There are several more of Iris kind hunting flies and insects in general about the pillars and posts noticeably among them a handsome little fellow, having a lithe body like- a snake, a forked tongue, and two streaks of yellow clown the sides of Ins olire-grcon co *t The natives say that' this lizard is poisonous, so much so, that its bite is death within the hour ; but, inpoint of fact, it is imiocuous, having neither poison nor fangs wherewith to inflict an injury. Not so ah uglier customer' introduce-1 to U 3 now- by the gardener, who carries him dangling i cross a long stick This is a young cobra the nmlv has just killed in a largo bed of petunias, and is recognised as one of a fartnly that has for some time pint taken up ita abode in' the stonework of 1 the garden wall. The paterfamilias has born several times seen- on his travels between our garden and another a few hundred yards distant, and is doscribed a« a large serpent nine or ten feet long. A late gardener, whom *ye dismissed in consequeL.ce of his feast and fast davrt numbering one-third of 'all contained in the year, might hate killed this reptile many times, but would not avail hiinsolf'of his opportunities, from superstitious motive*, if being aT^nrt of lm rehgious belief that the scTpcnt family in the w.ill wcrd in lomo way wlated to him, but in what degree of eousinship he could not precisely explain. Hut ho ««o<l to Aosemba bia meeting* with the cobra as CTccc<Uns»ly auspicious events. According to his account, the snake know his biped cousin right well, and would acknowledge the profound salaauis with which he was greeted with ft graceful motion of neck- and hoad. The cobra would not move out of tho path for tho man, however, and as in a meeting of this description some oue mnst go to the wall, tho cobra's Cousin was that person A larg« buffalo next claims o«v atfontion by forcing his way into the garden, where he begins to browse on our choice shrubs and flowers. Tho tailor sees him, and springing with unusual activity to his feet, runs at tho animal with his best speed. So do all the other servants about the house, whilo we enfoy at our ease a buSalo-hunt, in which the animal canters ponderously about the compound, pursued bv butler, cook, tailor, groom, ahd even lady's-maid. Why all this 7cal m our service 9 Because, when tho buffalo ls'canght and tied up, our zealous domestics will not let bun go again until the brute* owner pa; s them four"annas, ac sixpeftee ; and pay it he wal, for he knows t'mt, should we prosecute him in the police court for trespass nnd damage, we should' get a much larger sum out cf him, five, or perhaps ten rupees' What becomes of tho four attnas (fie servants best know. It is probably divided among the lot, and considered a handsome douceur for their pains in keeping master's garden free from bovine intruders Exeif eil spectators of tho hunts have been our monkeys, Jacko and Jticty, who ha\e watched all its entails with breathless eagerness, jumping up and down on their box, nnd grunting their approwil or disapproval with each actor's performances Their diameters are distinct Judy is a sweet-tempered little thing, ami a favourite with every one ; but Jacko is a ferocious brute, without a friend in the world except his wife, who, by the way, he most cru'lly ill-treats. He is a truculent rogue, and if a nativo — even he who feeds him — should venture within the reach of his chain, Jacko makes him pay dearly for his temerity, bv siezimj any portion of his person and taking a piece out of it. T>ogs, too, he abhors, and, when attacked by one, Master Jacko takes his chain in one hand, and with the other climbs his post until beyond reach of danger, when, erecting all his fur, and causing himself to appear twice his natural size, fin jabbers defiance at the enemy, making hideous grimace? at him aljo. Should- tho dog's attention bo distracted for a moment, Jauko is down the polo like greased lightning, aud up again with a like speed, but not before he has extracted a handful of hair from some tender part of tho dog, who, ou his part, looks absurdly angry and foolish under the treai.hcry to which he is thus subjected. In vain poor Judy trios to soften her lord's vile temper bv flening his coat witli the greatest asbiduity. E\ou in such blissful Momeuts as these, some villainous 'thought will cross Jacko's mind, when,- with furious aud guttural grunts, ho will rush open-mouthed upon tho partner of his joys and sorrows ; an •ssault that will provoke piteous squeak* from the lady thus chastissd, and thrashing for Maxtor Jajko ffOia Uas master.

About tins time wo notice that the wall of tho compound A oriviinented by two large white vultures, or scavenger-birds; facetiously called tho " Indian turkey." The pair arc Ixibsing^ w ltli apparently great affection —a jiractico to v/hicl» they arc much given But what loathsome caresses must bo'theirj ' It is as if nature had indulgod in a sly jest at tho bird's oxpotwo by instilling a love of osculation in its foul ugly person. J Tradition -has it* that upon a certain occasion two young^J officers neAvly ai Hved ia( India, -and on their way to join their^ regiment, " up cduntry,! 1 mistojk these birds for somo spocios of edible fowl, and having shottnuinbur, dined upon them with tolerable appetite; but then af "gnfl"' will cat anything" Tlioir reprnt»:nce and disgust may bo more readily nnaginal than described wiicn they came to loam tho habits and name of the gaino they had foil [upon no u awisoly. — Chambers' Journal.