en I tried hard to call up my courage, and wondered whether by a sharp
movement I could heave the reptile from me, while I tried to roll myself
off on the other side of the bed. But I knew that it was impossible,
for I was weak as a child, and, setting aside the pain such a movement
would have caused, it was in my then state impossible.

At last, when the stress upon my mind was enough to make me feel that,
at any cost, I must try and call for help, I heard a movement outside
the tent, and my lips parted once more to speak, but no sound came. I
could only lie in expectancy, with my eyes fixed upon the gleaming
scales, which were now certainly in motion.

There was another faint noise outside, and I felt that help was coming--
one of the men, to see whether I required anything. But, no; it ceased
once more; hope died out of my breast, and at all costs I was going to
utter a hoarse cry, for I could bear the suspense no longer, when there
was a louder rustle outside, and this time my flesh seemed to creep, for
the serpent was all in motion, and it had raised its head to look in the
direction of the sound, and I could see its bent, spade-like shape, and
the bright gleaming eyes.

Suddenly the purdah was softly drawn aside; and as I strained my eyes
sidewise to try and catch a glimpse of the man who entered, I saw him
approach silently, till he was near my couch, when he suddenly caught
sight of the serpent, uttered a faint cry, and fled.

I shuddered in my despair as I saw him sweep back the purdah and dart
through, and then I mentally called him a coward for not coming to my
help.

But I was premature in judging him, for all at once he darted back,
armed with a stout bamboo, and came cautiously toward where I lay now
nearly freed from my burden; for, at the sight of the men who came
swiftly in, the serpent's coils began to pass one over the other till it
was all in motion; and it was evidently gliding off me, to retreat to
the hole beneath the canvas through which it had found its way.

But it had not made sufficient haste. Just before it had reached the
canvas, the man was upon it, bringing the bamboo down with so terrible a
blow that the serpent twisted itself up, writhing and struggling in a
perfect knot, the tail flogging the carpet, and the head rising and
falling convulsively, till the man struck at it again and again,
crippling the tail with one blow; and, after watching his opportunity,
succeeded in deliv