THE COBRA. 343

ful though threatening hood, erects its neck, and commences a
series of undulating movements, which are continued until the
sound of the fife ceases, when the snake instantly drops, and is
replaced in its basket by its master.
Snake ““QOne morning, as I sat at breakfast,’’ says a
Charming. writer in the Penny Magazine, ‘‘I heard a loud
noise and shouting among my palankeen bearers. On enquiry,
I learned that they had seen a large hooded snake, and were
trying to kill it. I immediately went out, and saw the snake
creeping up a very high green mound, whence it escaped into
a hole, in an old wall of an ancient fortification ; the men
were armed with their sticks, which they always carry in their
hands, and had attempted in vain to kill the reptile, which had
eluded their pursuit, and in his hole had coiled himself up
securely, whilst we could see his bright eyes shining. I had
often desired to ascertain the truth of the report, as to the effect
of music upon snakes. I therefore enquired for a snake-
catcher. There was one about three miles off, and I accord-
ingly sent for him, keeping a strict watch over the snake, which
never attempted to escape, whilst we, his enemies, were in
sight. About an hour elapsed, when my messengers returned,
_ bringing a snake-catcher. This man wore no covering on his
head, nor any on his person, excepting a small piece of cloth
round his loins; he had in his hands two baskets, one con-
taining tame snakes, the other empty ; these, and his musical
pipe, were the only things he had with him. I made the
snake-catcher leave his two baskets on the ground, at some
distance, while he ascended the mound with his pipe alone.
He began to play ; at the sound of music the snake came grad-
ually and slowly out of his hole. When he was entirely within
reach, the snake-catcher seized him dexterously by the tail,
and held him thus at arm’s length, while the snake, enraged,
darted his head in all directions, but in vain ; thus suspended,
_he has not the power to round himself, so as to seize hold of
histormentor, He exhausted himself in vain exertions ; when