’Fearful to announce the nature of my present prisoner to the youngsters, at whose mercy I then was, lest they, through terror, should let the rope go, and thus precipitate me to the bottom of the well, I called out, “Draw up! draw up quickly! delay not, brothers!” and I was soon brought to the mouth of the well with the snake coiled round my arm, and firmly grasped just under the head, so that it could not extricate itself or injure me.  The boys soon assisted me off the top of the well, and brought pieces of stone, with which they bruised the snake’s head until I was relieved from its pressure on my arm by its death.  I should remark, that I had presence of mind to rub the head against the wall on my ascent, which had considerably lessened the snake’s pressure on my arm, and I believe it was more than half dead before I had reached the top.

’My arm pained me dreadfully, but still my greatest agony was for fear my father should hear of my exploit, which I felt convinced would not only excite his present anger, but be the means of preventing my having another opportunity of enjoying the society and amusements of my young companions.  Strict secrecy was therefore enjoined by my command upon the whole party; and returning to my home, I thought to disguise my real feelings by seeking repose instead of the evening dinner which was prepared for me.  My affectionate mother had no suspicion that I was ill, although she was much distressed that play had destroyed the appetite of her son.  I had dozed for some hours, when the agony of my arm awoke me as from an uneasy dream; I could hardly recollect the last evening’s adventure, for my mind seemed much bewildered.  My groans, however, brought my mother to my bed-side, whose tender care was exercised in fomenting my arm, which she found much swollen and inflamed.

’The secret of my enterprize was never divulged by me until the news of my sudden illness was reported in the neighbourhood; when some of my young friends told the tale, and it was conveyed by one of the gossiping old women, of the city to the zeenahnah of my mother.  My arm was for a long period rendered useless, and I was under the care of doctors for many months; the whole skin peeled off, and left me cause for remembering the circumstance, although it did not cure me of that preference for enterprize, which afterwards drew me from my home to visit other places, and to search for new adventures.  Often did I remonstrate with my father on the subject of my future profession:  how often did I declare my disinclination to pursue those studies (deemed essential to fit me for the office I was in due time to be appointed to), and avow my predilection for a military life!’