midnight
exclaimed the ruffian , and I heard him move as though he intended to come towards us . I could not withdraw my gaze from the snake , and if I should live a thousand years , I never could hope to witness such a gorgeous display as the eyes of the monster exhibited when the sound of footsteps disturbed the silence of the room . Showers of gold , silver , and precious stones , all mingled together , and exhibited by gas light , would be but a poor comparison , when contrasted with the splendor that I thought I observed in the serpent 's eyes . I heard the ruffian take one , two , three steps towards us , and I heard him utter an oath at our apparent indifference , and then , like a flash of lightning , I saw the tail of the snake gleam through the air , and encircle , coil after coil , the stout body of the midnight robber ! I heard a sudden exclamation of horror ; a fearful imprecation escaped the lips of the ruffian , and then the wonderful spell , which had bound me for I know not how long , was dissipated , and weak and trembling , I staggered back , and sank upon the floor , too much exhausted to escape from the building , and too much overcome with horror , at the struggle going on before me , to offer aid . The struggle that was going on in our room did not prevent me -- as I lay upon the floor , too exhausted and faint to assist the ruffian who called himself Pete Hurley 's friend -- from glancing towards Fred , to see how he fared . He appeared to be in the same condition as myself , and was lying upon his side , almost motionless ; but his eyes were riveted upon the horrible contortions of the snake , as the ruffian , a powerfully built man , strove to tear off the coils which bound him with fetters that were like steel .