Washington sentinel., 1853-12-20

wonders, less individual, perhaps, but quite as
mysterious. They danced cobra capellos, open
ing their fat heads to show them sound in
fangs and venom-bags, and made them perform
variety of poises. The snakes danced in q
circle, kept admirable time with the music, and
exhibited the most amiable willingness imagi-
nable to accommodate Europeans. A handful
Of sand taken from the road was made to mark
every color, and finally to produce shoyelfull
Of every variety by simple manual opera
ton.
Plants grew imperceptibly, balls danced in
the air, swords, books, jagged pieces of iron
and steel were used like sounding-leads to pene-
trate abdomens; eggs made birds, and birds
made rabbits, and rabbits in their turn under
went various formations common cotton balls
moved at command, going away at an immense
distance, but returning on the ground very
obediently, until we were completely tied up
and turned inside out with amazement and
credulity. Then came the great feat of the
greatest juggler in India; the most notorious
and wonderful Of all descriptions, and "for this
night only" The performer, the leader of the
party, had rested quietly with his wife and child
outside of the circle, watching the entire pro-
ceedings of his men, and noting the general
effect upon the assemblage. At the conclusion
of an announcement proportionate with his
dignity and elevation, he stepped into the en-
closed space to give grand finale to the whole
performance. Taking the child, a little boy
FIVE or six years of age, from its mother, despite
her tears and entreaties, he signed the attend
ants to procure required implements for his
feat, directing their arrangements and position
according to his mind
"a large basket six or seven feet deep, made
of straw, was shown to the spectators, that
they might assure themselves of its being
basket without any addition or improvement;
simply basket Of straw, very common in ell
parts Of the world. Inverting il, after the dill
gent Investigations Of the entire party, he stood
his little boy in the centre of the circle and
gnisher on candle. The room allowed the
little fellow an upright and apparently com
Portable position. We were permitted to see
him under the basket, and to satisfy ourselves
of has being there without any doubt. A naked
sword having received an equally close exami-
nation, was placed in the mans hand, and the
feat commenced. Assured of the childs con-
cealment under the basket, of the keenness
and validity Of the sword, we waited in silent
horror for his next proceeding. There was no
table with its apartment, no trap in the basket,
nothing but the hard, stony floor, and no con-
federate near him. Taking the weapon in his
hand, he waved it in the air, muttered jar
gon, and commenced series Of rapid thursts
through the basket, making the point penetrate
erery time the opposite side, down into the
basket, and all over it. until it could hardly
support its own weight from mutilation. It
was perforated like sieve.
"A cry came from the interior, and a stream
Of blood began to trickle from under it along
the stone floor on to the feet Of the spectators.
Cries of horror pierced the air, the mother ran
shrieking to the basket to seize her horribly
gashed and bleeding boyl She overturned it,
no child icas there, nothing but pool Of blood |
Every body looked frightened and relieved,
while the juggler coolly wiped the blood from
the sword blade. Suddenly, bursting from the
middle Of the group of observers the little fellow
came running to his mother, unhurt, unharmed,
and pretty smile on his brown, and childish
face. Taking hold Of her hand, he seemed to
ask the cause Of her fears, and began fondling
her in affectionate sympathy. Itwas a trick
a deception humbng. But how to explain
it. saw the child under the basket moment
before the thrusts; saw the sword, its plain
iron handle no shelter for the keen, sharp blade;
I stood on the same stone floor upon which
rested the basket; watched the whole care
fully, while the sword was passed around-there
was no refuge in the basket, there was no con-
federate, no mantle, no trap-door. The noise
of the straw was distinctly heard at each thrust;
the blood was there, and yet at the end the
child came from the crowd and quite alive! /
was within six feet and could not understand
it; perhaps you who were further away will be
more successful. But isn't it a point or two in
advance of Alexander, Blitz, and those men p