A NIGHT WITH A COBRA. 345

the edge of the copper basin, thus putting a full stop to a
thrilling period.
A Wightwith I was on a visit during the rainy season, a few
aCobra. years ago, says a recent writer, when I slept upon
an iron bedstead which had two lots of bedding on it. The
first aight I awoke, as I thought with a horrible nightmare,
feeling the cold slimy body of a snake gliding over my person,
and imagining myself in the regions described in Milton’s
Paradise Lost, and so wondrously drawn by Doré. I was
bathed in perspiration, and trembled all over till daylight
brought relief, and I convinced myself it must have been
merely a nightmare. But the next night I again awoke in
terror, feeling the same awful sensation of a cold, clammy body
gliding gently along my side, and passing with a wriggle over
my body ; terrer preventing me moving. Whether I fainted
or again fell asleep I have never been able to decide, but at
daylight I fled fromm the room and sat cowering in the verandah,
in a state of mind bordering on insanity. My hostess was in-
formed of my state, and got me round with a glass of wine.
Nothing coyld induce me to re-enter my bedroom. The
bearer and other domestics were sent for, and headed by the
mistress of the house, inspected the bed by removing the sheets.
Nothing was to be seen till one of the servants brushed his leg
against something soft and cold, and looked down at the junc-
tion of the two beddings ; he saw the end of a dark-coloured
tail. A howl from him scattered the servants and made me
imagine the snake was about to attack me, The valiant ser-
vants again assembled, aad with sticks entered the bedroom
and poked off the upper bedding, revealing a large hooded
cobra coiled in the centre, which was eventually despatched
by blows.
An Unpleas- A soldier in a regiment stationed at C
ant Bedfellow. was, for disorderly conduct, condemned to pass
the night in one of the cells. Just as he was going to sleep
he was startled by hearing a’ noise, which he knew could only