Our boys in India . erhaps; and all about the outer edge stood a lineof women — that, in the cross-lights of the moon and the torches, seemed to Scottto be the most beautifulhe had ever seen—in cos-tumes as beautiful as theythemselves. Some weredressed in tinsel and bril-liant colors; some, onlyhalf clad, were draped inflowing white; all werebearing offerings of flow-ers or milk for the idols. So far, the scene wasso wild and beautiful thatScott would have stoodthere all night, an en-chanted spectator; but,when his eye fell to theimmediate circle about him, his blood ran cold, in spite of alif
Our boys in India . erhaps; and all about the outer edge stood a lineof women — that, in the cross-lights of the moon and the torches, seemed to Scottto be the most beautifulhe had ever seen—in cos-tumes as beautiful as theythemselves. Some weredressed in tinsel and bril-liant colors; some, onlyhalf clad, were draped inflowing white; all werebearing offerings of flow-ers or milk for the idols. So far, the scene wasso wild and beautiful thatScott would have stoodthere all night, an en-chanted spectator; but,when his eye fell to theimmediate circle about him, his blood ran cold, in spite of alifetime of resolving not to be a coward. Directly before himthere were two great bowls, each filled with milk ; and aroundeach bowl was a writhing ring of frightful cobra, drinking themilk, while their charmers, in a second circle, were making allthe hideous moans imaginable, now and then catching oneof the cobra away, to give another a chance. And the dis-appointed fellow would hiss in his madness, and spread his. SAPW ALLAH. SNAKES. II y broad hood, that looked many times more hideous in thenight than by day. Scott deposited his can of milk, received the blessing ofthe chief sapwallah in a terrible contortion, that frightenedhim almost out of his wits. Then he signified to his par-ticular sapwallah that he was ready to retire, and, with ashudder, was tenderly taken on the back where so manya cobra had been crawling, and a moment later was placedas tenderly by the side of Mr. Raymond. Did you see enough ? You were only gone a moment,said Richard, as he dropped a coin into the sapwallaJiseasily opened hand. I saw enough. Indeed, I did ! replied Scott. In fact,I think I have seen all the snakes I care to for a lifetime:am ready to go home any time you are. You are not hurt ? inquired Richard anxiously. No, indeed! But those snakes ! said Scott with ashudder. Richard laughed outright. If that is all, he said, youllsoon be ready to do it all again. Snakes never lose theircharm.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidourboysinind, bookyear1892
