The Placer herald., 1865-05-13
Snake Charming in India.


covering it, bearing over his shoulder two
baskets and his musical instrument made out
Of gourd, with a single bamboo pipe, com
from its lower which, being pierced with
holes, are played upon like flute, whilst the
breath is blown through the upper and sin,
gle one.
Before he was allowed to enter the room
he was searched and bis baskets aud instru.
ments taken from him. Nothing could have
been concealed, for his clothing was reduced
to its minimum, and he only carried short
iron rod
lie was shown the hole in which we sup
posed the snake to be, for now the reptiles
tail had disappeared. He lay down on the
floor, and placing bis face close to the hole,
exclaimed, "Burra sap; sabit habit burga"
(l5lg snake, your honor, very big) Without
any more preparation be commenced Dig
gng round the hole, and removed some Of
the brick work. ln a few minutes he showed
US the tale Of the reptile, and with sundry
incantations in Hindostanee, and curious
contoltions Of his body, seized hold Of the
tail, and gradually drew forth the snake. 1t
proved to be a fine specimen Of the cobra,
about five feet long, at the thckest part
eight inches round, with hood measuring,
when extended, five inches across. This rep
tile he handled freely whilst it was Kissing
and darting lis tongue out every second.
Taking it into the yard or compound be re-
leased it.
The brute wriggled towards him. aud
when within foot or 50 reared itself up
spread out the enormous hood, and prepared
itself to strike at its captor. But the charm-
er was not to be wounded. He seizel his
primitive musical instrument, and commen
ced very slowly to produce low and soft
tones, very harmonious but unconnected.
The snake seemed astonlshed; his hood grad
ualIy collapsed, bis head and about foot Of
his body that was raised from the ground,
commenced to sway from side to side in
perfect harmony with the music, and slower
and quicker, as the time was decreased or
increased. AS the man played louder the
the snake got more excited, until It's rapid
and unusual movements had quite exhausted
it, and it subsidized.
Again the charmer seized it, and quick as
lightning ran his hand up its body, holding
it firmly by the throat. BY pressing on its
neck the cobras mouth opened, and he dis
closed The fangs, poison bags and apparatus
complete; thus proving beyond doubt that
it was not trained or tame reptile which
he had been treating Ike pIaylhing.
Doubts still arose in my mind, however
about the genuineness of the performance,
for could not bring myself 10 believe that
man would willingly place himself in such
close proximity to DEATH
A fowl was now obtained and placed
about a foot from The reptile, which was
again set free, With the same movement it
raised Itself a foot from the ground, spread
out its hood, and with a loud hiss apparently
of satisfaction darted upon and seized the
fowl by the back OF the neck. Hanging
there for few seconds, it let go its hold,
and the man at the same instant seized it as
he had formerly done by the head. The
fowl become almost tanlaneousy drowsy,
its head falling forward and the beal strk
ING with considerable force into the ground
This convulslve movement lasted ten seconds,
and then the bird lay down as if completely
comatose and poweress. In fifteen seconds
it gave sudden start and fell back quite
dead. This was the first time witnessed
death from snake bite, and it is unques
tiohoplJ a SuOuCu, Hulob anu ONcl pONOi my
poison.
AS no deception could have been p.acticed
in this instance, | was most anxious to see
the reptile killed; but the charmer said he
would not have 1t destroyed; that if it were
injured, the power he had over snakes would
be interfered with and the next would no
doubt bite and kill him. lie accounted for
his easy capture by saying that this was a
great holiday for snakes, and they had been
enjoying themselves This one" said be,
sis not living in this house. He has come
from his own home visiting, and has got
! down wrong hole and was enabled to pull
him out Nasty neighbors and ;bominable
visitors, these cobras! | will take this snake
home and feed him, and make him tame"
However, we insisted on seeing him made
harmless, or comparatively SO, and directed
the man to remove bis fangs This he agreed
to do, and performed it in this manner: a
/. piece Of wood was cut an inch square, and
held by the charmer to the head of the snake.
r The reptile seized it as he had done the fowl,
e and with a dexterous twist Of his hand the
. . most primitive performance Of dentistry was
accomplished. The four tangs sticking into
the wood were extracted by the roots and
given to me. | have them now and look
@ upon them as more suicidally pleasant than
a pint of prussic acid or cask of white
arsenic.
Another fowl was now brought and at
tackled by the snake as before, but without
any effect; it shook itself, rustled its feathers
T and walked away consequentiaIly. 1t is
e alive still, unless some enterprsing culinary
agent has converted it into curry or devil.
So it was proved beyond any doubt that
an Indian snake charmer was not humbne
and swndler, as many suppose, but &
strong'minded, quick-eyed, active, courageous
:, man. The cool determination and heroism
of the charmer in the present instance was
rewarded by the sum of two rupees, Qou'
Il: h., l,tt tha naIa I1nIlnl with ~