te heat. Charlie had decided that, if the snake bit Tim, he would
instantly make a deep cut through the line of the puncture of the
fangs, cutting down as low as these could penetrate, and immediately
cauterize it, by placing the hot knife in the gash so made. Six men
were called in, with orders to seize Tim on the instant, and hold his
leg firm, to enable the operation to be performed. Two others were to
occupy themselves with the snake. These were armed with sticks.

Hossein now approached the bed, from which, hitherto, they had all
kept well aloof. The snake, Tim said, lay against his leg, between the
knee and the ankle, and the spot was marked by a slight elevation of
the rug.

Hossein drew his tulwar, examined the edge to see that nothing had
blunted its razor-like keenness, and then took his stand at the foot
of the bed. Twice he raised his weapon; and then let it fall, with a
drawing motion. The keen blade cut through the rug, as if it had been
pasteboard; and, at the same instant, Tim sprang from the other side
of the bed, and fainted in the arms of the men. Hossein threw off the
rug, and there, severed in pieces, lay the writhing body of a huge
cobra.

Tim soon recovered, under the administration of water sprinkled in his
face, and brandy poured down his throat. But he was some time, ere he
thoroughly recovered from the effects of the trying ordeal through
which he had passed. Many of the buildings in the fort were in a very
bad condition, and Charlie had several of the most dilapidated
destroyed, finding in their walls several colonies of cobras, which
were all killed by the troops.

Chapter 25: Besieged In A Pagoda.

A few days later Charlie received a message from the Rajah of
Permacoil, saying that he was besieged by a strong native force, aided
by the French. He at once moved his force to his assistance. He found
that the besiegers, among whom were two hundred French troops, were
too strong to be attacked. He therefore established himself in their
rear, attacked and captured convoys, and prevented the country people
from bringing in provisions. Several times the besieging infantry
advanced against him, but before these he at once fell back, only to
return as soon as they retired to their camp. Whenever their horse
ventured out against him, he beat them back, with considerable loss.

Ten days after his arrival, the enemy, finding it impossible to
maintain themselves in the face of so active an