him with the lance behind the head, and pin him to the ground, I might succeed in capturing him. 4. When I suggested my plan to the negroes, they begged and entreated me to let them go for a gun, and bring more force, as they were sure the snake would kill some of us.—I, however, thought differently; and directing the negroes to range themselves behind me, I threatened to cut them down with my cutlass if they attempted to fly. I smiled as I said this, but they shook their heads in silence, and seemed to have but a bad heart of it. When we arrived at the place, the serpent had not stirred; but I could see nothing of his head; and I judged from the folds of its body, that it must be at the farthest side of his den. A species of woodbine had formed a complete mantle over the branches of the fallen tree, almost impervious to the rain or the rays of the sun. 5. I now took my knife, determining to cut away the woodbine, and break the twigs in the gentlest manner possible, till I could get a view of his head. One negro stood guard close behind me with the lance, and near him the other with a cutlass. After working in dead silence for a quarter of an hour, with one knee on the ground; I had cleared away enough to see his head, which appeared to be in the very position I could have wished it. I rose in silence, and retreated very slowly, making a sign to the negroes to do the same. I could now read in their faces, that they considered this a very unpleasant affair; and they made another attempt to persuade me to let them go for a gun. 6. I smiled in a good-natured manner, and made a feint to cut them down with the weapon I had in my hand. This was all the answer I made to their request, and they looked very uneasy. I again ranged the negroes behind me, and told the one next to me to lay hold of the lance the moment I struck the snake; and the other I directed to attend on my movements. It now only remained to take the cutlasses from them; for I was sure, if I did not disarm them, they would be tempted to strike the snake in time of danger, and thus forever spoil his skin. In doing this, however, it was evident they considered it an intolerable act of tyranny; and probably nothing kept them from bolting, but the consolation that I was to be between them and the snake. 7. Indeed, my own heart, in spite of all I could do, beat quicker than usual, and my feelings, probably, were similar to those of persons on board a man of war, when about entering into action. We went on slowly and silently, without moving our arms or heads, in order to prevent, as much as possible, all alarm, lest the snake should glide off, or attack us in selfdefense. I carried the lance perpendicularly before me, with the point about a foot from the ground. The snake had not moved, and on getting up to him, I struck him with the lance on the near side just behind the neck, and pinned him to the ground. 8. That moment the negro, as directed, seized the lance and held it firm in its place, while I dashed headforemost into the den to grapple with the snake, and to get hold of his tail before he could do any mischief. On pinning him to the ground with the lance, he gave a tremendous hiss, which so frightened the dog that he ran howling away. We had a sharp fray in the den, the rotten sticks flying on all sides, and each party struggling for superiority. I called out to the second negro to throw himself upon me, as I found I was not heavy enough. I had now gotten a firm hold of his tail, and after a violent struggle or two he gave in, finding himself overpowered. 9. This was the moment to secure him. While, therefore, the first negro continued to hold the lance firmly to the ground, and the other was helping me, I contrived to unloose my suspenders, and with them tied up the snake's mouth. The snake now finding himself unpleasantly situated, tried to better himself, and again set resolutely to work; but again we overpowered him. We contrived to make him twist himself round the shaft of the lance, and then prepared to convey him out of the forest. I stood at his head, and held it firmly under my arm, while one of the negroes supported the middle, and the other the tail. 10. In this order we began to move slowly towards home, and reached it, after resting ten times; for the snake was too heavy for us to support, without stopping to recruit our strength. As we proceeded onwards with him, he fought hard for freedom, but it was all in vain. He measured something more than fourteen feet; but this species of snake is much thicker in proportion to his length, than any other in the forest. What is it necessary to have when roving among snakes? How should they not be approached? Why? What snakes are considered very poi sonous? What did the writer resolve to do? To whom and for what did What did he offer a reward? How was he dressed when he went out? he do when he arrived at the place? What was the size of it? How much did he promise the negroes What did he threaten them? of the feelings of the negroes? Where did he did he then do? What happened in the den? did they carry him? What was his size? strike the snake? What How LESSON LII. THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. 1. SOME years since, the first battalion of the 17th regiment of foot, under orders to embark for India-that far distant land, where so many British soldiers have fallen victims to the climate-were assembled in the barrack-yard of Chatham, to be inspected, previously to their passing on board the transports, which lay moored in the Downs. It was scarcely daybreak, when the merry drum and fife were heard in all parts of the town, and the soldiers were seen sallying forth from their quarters, to join the ranks, with their bright fire-locks on their shoulders, and the knapsacks and canteens fastened to their backs by belts as white as snow. 2. Each soldier was accompanied by some friend or acquaintance, or by some individual, with a dearer title to his regard than either—and there was a strange and somewhat a whimsical mingling of weeping and laughter among the assembled groups. The second battalion was to remain in England, and the greater portion of the division were present to bid farewell to their old companions in arms. But among the husbands and wives, uncertainty as to their destiny prevailed; for the lots were yet to be drawn-the lots which were to decide which of the women should accompany the regiment, and which should remain behind. 3. Ten of each company were to be taken, and chance was to be the only arbiter. Without noticing what passed elsewhere, I confined my attention to that company which was commanded by my friend, Captain Lodon, a brave and excellent officer. The women had gathered round the flag-sergeant, who held the lots in his cap-ten of them marked "to go,” and all the others containing the fatal words "to remain." It was a moment of dreadful suspense; and never have I seen the ex treme of anxiety so powerfully depicted in the countenances of human beings, as in the features of each of the soldier's wives who composed the group.-One advanced and drew her ticket; it was against her, and she returned sobbing. 4. Another; she succeeded; and giving a loud huzza, ran off to the distant ranks to embrace her husband A third came forward with hesitating step; tears were already chasing each other down her cheeks, and there was an unnatural paleness on her interesting and youthful countenance. She put her small hand into the sergeant's cap, and I saw by the rise and fall of her bosom, even more than her looks revealed. She unrolled the paper, looked upon it, and with a deep groan, fell back, and fainted. So intense was the anxiety of every person present, that she remained unnoticed, until all the tickets had been drawn, and the greater number of the women had left the spot. 5. I then looked round, and beheld her supported by her husband, who was kneeling upon the ground, gazing upon her face, and drying her fast falling tears with his coarse handkerchief, and now and then pressing it to his own manly cheek.— Captain Lodon advanced towards them," I am sorry, Henry Jenkins," said he, "that fate has been against you; but bear up, and be stout-hearted." "I am so, captain," said the soldier, as he looked up and passed his rough hand across his face; "but 'tis a hard thing to part." 6. "Oh, captain!" sobbed the young woman, 66 as you are both a husband and a father, do not take him from me: I have no friend in the wide world but one, and you will let him bide with me! Oh take me with him! for humanity's sake, take me with him, captain!" These solicitations were repeated in such heart-rending accents, that the gallant captain could not refrain from tears; and knowing that it was impossible to grant her request, without creating much discontent in his own company, he gazed upon them with that feeling with which a good man ever regards the sufferings he cannot alleviate. 7. At this moment, a smart young soldier stepped forward, and stood before the captain with his hand to his cap-“ And what do you want, my good fellow?" said the officer. "My name is John Carty, please your honor; and I belong to the second battalion."-" And what do you want here?" "Only, your honor," said Carty, scratching his head, "that poor man and his wife there, are sorrow-hearted at parting, I'm thinking." "Well, and what then?"-" Why, your honor, they say I'm a likely lad, and I know I am fit for service; and if your honor would only let that poor fellow take my place in Capt. Bond's. company, and let me take his place in yours, why, your honor would make two poor things happy, and save the life of one of them, I'm thinking." 8. Captain Lodon considered for a few moments, and directing the young Irishman to remain where he was, proceeded to his brother officer's quarters. He soon made arrangements for the exchange of the soldiers, and returned to the place. where he had left them. "Well, John Carty," said he, 66 you go to Bengal with me; and you, Henry Jenkins, remain at home with your wife." "Thank your honor," said John Carty, touching his cap as he walked off. Henry Jenkins and his wife were both too much affected with this favorable turn of affairs, to say more than, " God bless you, dear sir, for your kind acceptance of his offer; but never can we repay the gratitude we owe to that generous young man." With these words they went in search of John Carty. 9. About twelve months since, as two boys were watching the sheep confided to their charge upon a wide heath in the county of Somerset, their attention was attracted by a soldier, who walked along apparently with much fatigue, and at length. stopped to rest his weary limbs beside the old finger-post, which at one time pointed out the way to the neighboring villages ; but which now afforded no information to the traveler; for age had rendered it useless. The boys were gazing upon him with much curiosity, when he beckoned them towards him, and inquired the way to the village of Eldenby The eldest, a lad about twelve years of age, pointed to the path, and asked, if he were going to any particular house in the village. if you 10. No, my little lad," said the soldier, "but it is on the high road to Frome, where I have friends; but in truth I am very weary, and perhaps I may find in your village some person who may befriend a poor fellow, and look to God for reward." 66 Sir," said the boy, "my father was a soldier many years ago, and he dearly loves to look upon a red coat; will come with me, you may be sure of a welcome." The boys, leaving their flock in charge of their faithful dog, proceeded forward with the soldier towards their home; and in a few minutes reached the gate of a flourishing farm-house, which had all the external tokens of prosperity and happiness. |