Uttering a cry of pleasure, I sprang forward, and seized it nearly by the middle.
A strange sensation of numbing coldness seemed to pervade my whole arm, which surprised me the more, as the object to the eye appeared so warm and sunlike.

I did not drop it, however, but, holding it up, looked at it intently, as its head dangled about a foot from my hand.

It made no resistance; I felt not even the slightest struggle; but now my brother began to scream and shriek like one possessed.

'O mother, mother!' said he, 'the viper!--my brother has a viper in his hand!' He then, like one frantic, made an effort to snatch the creature away from me.

The viper now hissed amain, and raised its head, in which were eyes like hot coals, menacing, not myself, but my brother.