The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-09-07

OF tnaG country. dere is MS account F.:
after having performed the trick of
suffering an Arab to fire at me with
loaded pistol, the ball appearing inside an
apple in my hard, 1 journeyed into the
interior; and there met several Marabouts,
one of whom told me that he was not to
be deceived.
why so p
Because don't believe in your pow
er y
'Ak indeed Well then, if you don't
believe in my power, will compel you
you to believe in my skill =
Neither in one nor in the other
was at this moment the whole length
of the room from the Marabout
Stay! said to him; you see this
five franc piece p
Yes
Close your hand firmly, for the piece
will go into it in spite of YOURSELF
i am ready the Arab saidrin an in
credulous voice, as held out his tightly
closed fist. I took the piece at the end
of my fingers, so the assembly might all
see it; then feigning to the Marabout, it
disappeared at the word "Pass ~ My
man opened his hand, and finding moth
ing in it, shrugged his shoulders. as if to
say; You see, told Tou So y
l was well aware it was not there, but
it was important to throw the Marabout's
attention from his sash, aad for this pur-
pose I employed the feint.
That does not surprise me- 1 replied,
for threw the piece with such strength
that it went right through your hand and
has fallen into your sash. Being afraid |
might break your watch by the blow, l
showed him the watch in my hand. The
Marabout quickly put his hand in his belt,
to assure himself of the truth, and was
quite stupefed at finding the five franc
piece.
The spectators were astounded. Some
of them began telling their beads. but the
Mirabout frowned without saying word,
and saw he was spelling over some evil
design.
I now believe in vour power he said,
you are real sorcerer,' and offering me
two pistols he held concealed under his
burnous. he added, come, choose one of
these pistols we will load it and ! will
fire at you. You have nothing to fear,
for saw you perform this trick at your
own theatre
/ confess was for a moment stagger-
ed; sought subterfuge, and found none
i All eyes were fixed upon me, and reply
was anxieusly awaited.
At last 1 thought of an idea which
would save me from my dilemma, at Least
temporarily. Tomorrow morning. said
1, 'at eight O'Clock, | will allow you te
fire at me in the presence of these Arabs
who were witnesses of your challenge.
> The Marabout, surprised at my compli
ance, assented, and summoned all th'
5 company to be present.
By eight the next morning we hat
E breakfasted, aud on entering the hall w
5 found none of the guests were absent
:. Indeed, great number Of Arabs came il
a to swell the crowd.
1 The pistols were handed me, L callet
attention to the fact that the vents wer
: clear, and the Marabout put in fai
e charge of powder, and drove the wa
!, home. Among the bullets produced,
v chose one which openly put in the pis
e tol, and which was then also covered wit
s paper.
J. The Arab watched all these movement
S for his honor was at stake. We wen
s through the same movements with th
second pistol, and the solemn moment al
is rived. ,e-
: Solemn indeed it seemed to everybody
Il to the spectators, who were uncertain {
y the issue-to Madame Houdin, who ha
j. in vain besought me to give up this trick
g for she feared the result; and solemn ais
e to me, for as my new trick did not depen
IS on any error-an act of treachery-
g knew not what.
7, Still posted myself at fifteen pace
b from the sheik, without evincing th
l. slightest emotion.
81 The Marabout Immediately seized on
= : of the pistols, and on my giving the sig
u nal, took a deliberate aim at me. Tt
s. pistol went off, and the ball appeared bt
tween my teeth.
= More angry than ever, my rival trie
to seize the other pistol, but succeede
in reaching it before him. You cou1
not injure me- said; but you shall no
- see that my aim is more dangerous ths
yours Look on that WALL
- pulled the trigger, and on the newt
- - white-washed wall there appeared lare
~ ~ patch of blood exactly at the spot whel
:. - l had aimed. The Mara5out went up {
. ~ it, dipped his finger in the blood, an
oe raising it to his mouth, convinced hin
=, - self of the reality. When he acquire
: this certainty, his arms fell and his hea
n n was bowed upon his chest, as if he we
y annihilated. 1t was evident that for
- moment he doubted everything, even tt
- Prophets. The spectators raised the
- eyes to heaven muttered prayers, and r
e. garded me with species of terror.
is The trick have inst described. thoue