The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-12-09
Ehe cOTljHrer's feat.

ihe spectators were astounded. Some among
them began telling their beads with a vlvacity
eVlncIng certain agitation of mind; bat the
Alarabout frowned without saying word, and
saw be was spelling over some evil design.
81 now believe IN your supernatural power"
ne said, ''you are a real sorcerer; hence, you
wlll not fear TO repeat here a trick you perfor-
med in your theatre;" and Offering me two Pis-
to.S be added, "Come choose one of these pIs-
fole; we will load it, and [ wdl fire at yop.
You have nothing to fear as you caa ward of
all blows"
confess | was for a moment staggered;
sought a sublerfuge and found none. All eyes
were fixed upon me, and reply was anxiously
awaited. The AIarabout was triumphant. Bou-
Allen, being aware that my tricks were only
'ae result OF skill, was angry that his guest
should be so pestered; hence he began reproaca-
ias the Marabout. [ stopped him, however,
Tor an idea had occurred to me which would
save me from my dilemma, at least temporarily;
then addressing my adversary:
''l on are aware" ! said with assurance,
ahat require taIisnan in order to be nvul-
nera5le, and, unfortunately, have let niue at
Algiers."
The Maradout began laughing with an incred-
u,0us air.
"SulI," continued, "I can, by remaining
SIX hours at prayer, do without the talisman,
and dety your weapon. Tomorrow morning,
al eight O'Clock, will allow you to FIRE at me
m the presence Of these Arabs, who were WIT
nessrs Of your challenge"
Bou-AlIem astonished at such promise, ask
ed me- once again if this offer was serious, and
ifhe should invite the company for the appoa-
ted hour. On my affirmative. they agreed 10
meet before the stone bench | have already al
luded to. did not spend my night at prayers,
as may oe supposed, but l employed about two
hours IN lnsaring my lnvulnerability; then, sal
isbed with the result, slept s0undly, ior | was
terribly tired. By eight the next morning We
bad breaki8sied, our horses were saddied, and
our escort was awaiting the signal OF our depa--
tdre, which would take place after the famous
experiment. None Of the guests were absent,
and, indeed, great number of Arabs came IN
% swell the crowd. The pistols were handed
me; | cafled attention to the fact that the vents
Tsere clear and the Mara5out pat in fair
charge of powder and drove the wad home.
Among the bullets produced, chose one which
opeujy PAT ia The pistol, aud which was then
covered with paper. The Arab watched all
these movements, for his honor was at stake.
We went through the same process with the
SECOND pistol, and the Solemn moment arrived.
Solemn, indeed, It seemed 10 evary5ody-to the
spectators who were uncertain of the issue, 10
Madame Houdin, who had in vain sought me
to give up this trick. for she feared the result
and solemn also to NE, for as my new trick did
not depend on any arrangements made at Al
giers, J feared an error, an act Of tCeacherv-I
knew not what. Still posted myself at fifteen
PAGES from the SheIk, without evGcing the
slightest emotion. The Marabout Immediate
ly seized one of the pistols, and, on nv giving
the signal, took a deliberate aim at me. The
pistol went off, and the ball appeared between
nay teeth. More angry ;ban ever, ny rival
tried to seize the other pistol, bat | succeeded
in reaching it before hlm.
''You did not iniure me,'' | said to him, but
you shall now taat my ann Is more danger
Gus thaE yours. Look at that wall" pulled
the Trigger, and on the newly whitewasHed
wall there appeared large patch OF blood, ex-
actly at the spot where had aimed. The Mar
aoout wen, up 10 it, dipped his finger 10 the
blood, and, raising It to ms mouth, convinced
himself OF the reality. When he acquired this
certainty, his arms isil, aud ms head was bow
ed on his chest, as II ne were annihIated. 1t
was evident that for tae moment he doubted ey-
erything, even the Prophet. The spectators
raised their eyes 10 heaven, mu;teTed prayers,
and regarded me with species of terror. This
scene was triumphant termination to my per-
tormance. [ therefore retired, leaving the au-
dience under the impression had produced.
We took leave of Bou-Alem ald his son, and
set oil at gallop.
The trick have just described, though so Gu
rioas, is easily prepared viii give descup-
ton OF 1t, while explaining the trouble II took
me. As soon as | was alone III my room,
took out OF my pistoi-case-wltnout whlchI neve!
travel-a bullet mould. | took a card, bent up
the four edges, and thus made sort OF trough
IN which placed piece ofwaX taken from one
OF the candies. Wien IT was melted, | mixed
It with little lampbl4ck had obtained by put
ting the blade OF knife over the candle, and
then ran this composition in the buiIet-mould
Had | allowed the liquid to get quite cold, the
ball would have been cold and solid; but in a.
bout ten seconds turned the mould over, and
the portion ofthe wax not yet set ran out, leay-
ing hollow ball IN the mould. This operation
is the sane as that used in making tapers, the
thickness OF ta- outside depending oa the time
the liquid has been left in the mould l wanted
a second bali, which made rather more solid
than the other; and this [ filled with blood, and
covered the orlfce with lump OF wax. An
lrishman bad once taught me the way To draw
blood lIom the thumb, without feeling any pain
and employed It on this occasion to Eli nv
bullet. Bullets thus prepared bear an extraor-
dInary resemblance 10 lead, and are easily mis-
taken for this metal wAen seen short distance
off.
With this explanation the trick will be easily
understood. After showing the leaden bullet
TO the spectators, changed ii for my hollow