Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-08-17
From the London Society Magazine.]
An Hour with q Snake Charmer.

An oOur Win b S06kc Cn8fmefs
During professional ride through the station in which
quartsred felt somewhat fagued with the heat of
the which was just then excessive and ventured to
call on friend for short shelter despite the full
victiou that SHOULD find him indulging in that midday
siesta," so common luxury to the Europeans living
in that climate and yet fearf1y productive Of liver
congestion, plethora and splenic disease.
l was not mistaken. Never mind me come in, old
boy" was my friends sautation, which I answered in
person by entering his bedroom darkened and cooled by
surprised seeing two very bright objects glsteuing in
the corner Of the room. advanced towards thtr but
more quickly retired being assailed by loud and
performed by my friend and myself aud the native
wants were somewhat startled by shreks Of A snake
srakel Get gun"
and need not say come distance from the door, Vari
results arrived at some suggested shooting.
the rest proposed that bs snake should be- Caught and
then destroyed.
However, as the originator of this bright idea did not
none Of wished to deprive him Of the honor, il
agreed send to the native bazaar for Indian snake
charmer.
He came, TALL muscular native, slip of cloth around
his waist his hair long and matted except in the centre
Of his bead, which was shaved close in circle and
urban covering it, bearing his shoulders two bask
cts and his musical instrument made out of a gourd
with single bamboo pipe coming from its upper end
and smaller from its lower which, being pierced
with holes, played upon like the flute, whilst the
breath IS blown through the upper and single one.
Before he allowed to enterh ROOM he search
co. ara his baskets and Instruments taken from hlm-
Nothing could have been concealed for his clothing was
reduced to its minimum, and be only carried short iron
rod.
He was shown the hole in which we supposed the
snake to be- for the reptiles head had disappeared
he laid down on the floor and placing his face close to
the door, exclaimed Burra sap as6it 6ahut 6uno"-
Big snake your honor, very big) Without any more
removed some of the brick work In a Jew minutes he
he showed the tail Of the reptile and with sundry
carnations HlndOOstanee and curious contorOps of
his body seized hold of the TAIL and gradually drew forth
the snake proved to be fine specimen Of the cobra
"a black, shining wiggng Kissing deadly cobra. five
hood measuring when extended five inches across This
reptile he handled freely, whilst Kissing and dart
ing its tongue out every second Taking into the yard
wards him. and when within feet reared Itself up
spread out the enorm Us hood, and prepared itself to
ad ks But M YVES not to BE- w0u
commenced very Low and soft tones very harmonious
but unconnseted. The snake seemed astonshed his
his body that raised from the ground commenced to
sway from side to side, in perfect harmony with the
Sic and slower and quicker az the time was decreased
excited until s rapid and unusual movements had
quite exhausted it, and it subsidized.
Again the chsrmer seized it and quick as lightning ran
bis hard up les body holding it firmly BY the throat
By pressing on its neck the cubras mouth opened and
he disclosed the fangs. poison bags and apparatus
plee thus proving beyond doubt that il Gsss not train.
or tame reptile be had been treating like play thing
A fowl was now obtained and placed about foot from
the reptile which again set free. With the same
movements it raised itself foot from the ground spread
out its hood, aud with loud hiss apparently Of salts
faction darted upon and seized the fowl BY he back
hold and the at the instant seized it, be hat
formerly done, by the head The fowl almost nstanta
neousy, became drowsy its bead falling forward and thu
beak striking with considerable force into the ground
This convusve movement lasted ten seconds and the,
the bird lay down if completely overcome and power
less. In fifteen seconds it gave sudden start and fel
back quite dead
As deception could have been practieed in this in
stance most anxious to the reptile killed b.,
the charmer said he would not have it destroyed that
it were injured the power he had over snakes would
interered with, and the next would doubt bi,
and kill him.
However, we insisted upon seeing him made harmless
or comparatively so, and directed the to remove hi
fangs. This he agreed to d. and performed it in th
manner: piece of wood was cut an inch square, an
held by the charmer to the head of the snake the rep
seized it he had the fowl and with dexterous tws:
his hand the most primitive performance of dentistr
was accomplished. The four fangs sticking into the woo
extracted BY the roots and given to have the
now and look upon them more suicday pleasant than
| pint of prussia acid = cask of white arsenic.