The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-10-11

formed the magician that had seen enough to-
satisfy me Of his wonderful occult powers -
At this he smiled grimly, walked up to the beg
and trod it down again, picked it up and beat Il
with his right hand across his loft, caused it to
unaccountably disappear from my sight, and
then made his concluding salaam. r."-
How these wonders were performed-by
what art, power, or magic-I do not and never
expect to know. have conversed with many
persons who have seen quite as strarge and
unnatural things, but never heard any one give;
any explanation that ! considered satisfactory.
simply relate what saw, but scarcely expect
any one to credit my statement, well knowing
that l myself would not have received such
marvels as facts on the testimony Of the most
reliable friend have in the world r.r.2
eff your excellency wills, l shall now have
the honor Of showing you how charm wild
serpents," said the necromanccr. Fl.
l had heard something Of this wonderful
power and Was desirous of seeing it displayeds,
Accordingly myself and attendants all repaired
to an open field, at no great distance, where,
after some search, Paunjar discovered hole.
in which he said hc doubted not there was "
snake.
"But before call him forth, - he proceeded.
al must be assured that some one of suEii
cient courage will stand ready to cut him down
when | give the ignal-otherwise, should he
prove to be a cobra capclla, my life may be.
sacrificed"
IL will myself undertake that business - said
/, drawing my sword.
The m IN hcsitated, ev identity fearing to insult
me by doubt, and yet not eager to risk his life
on the strength Of my nerves. after the display
Of tinidity l had already made. thought
read all this il the mans face, and l said very
positively e.r -
"Never fear, good sir! l will cut down
devil! ...~.'.
"My life is at your exccllency' : mercy, bow.
ed the man, with a show Of humility. "Re!
member the signal. When l raise nv hand
above my head, may the blow be swift, sure
and deadly" 7.F''
He then gave his whole attention to the buss,
ness before him. Putting an instrument, NOS
unlike small fageolet, to his lips, he began
to play shrill, monotonous, disagreeable sort
OF q tune, keeping his eyes riveted upon the
hole in the ground; and soon after, to my utter.
establishments, though should have been,pre-
pared for anything, l saw the ugly head Of the
hooded snake, the dread cobra di capcllo, tlss
most poisonous Of all deadly reptilts;l come
slowly forth, with its specialized eyes fixed
steadily upon the strange musician, who began
to retreat backwards slowly, step at a time.
the snake following him. .... ... ,...,,
When at length, in this manner, he had drawn
the hideOus creature some ten or fifteen feet
from its hole, he suddenly squatted down and
began To play more loudly and shrilly. A. this
the serpent raised itself on its tail. as wben
about to make its deadly spring, and actually
commenced dancing motion, in time with the
music, which was continued for about minute,
when the charmer gave me the signal to strike.
Guarded and stealthily advanced near enough
for the blow, and then struck, cutting the rep
tile in two, and sending its head flying to souse
distance. Inever took life with better satsfae-
ton.
Whatever deception there might have been
about the Juggler's tricks, there was certainly
none about the snake, for have its skin stiil
in my possession. gave the man couple of
lied, wishing my excellency any quantity Of
good luck. was perfectly satisfied too, and
would not have missed seeing what did thas
lay for ten times the amount paid. aer-5.F,.a