The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-10-04
4 TOUGH YARN.
RAISING THE DEVIL IN ALGIERS
Remarkable Experience With an African
Necromancer

lie IallS correspondent Vi INC w"
York World gives the following remark
able experience as having been related by
Marshal Mcmahon at a grand dinner
given in the French capital during the
first Presidency. The Marshal's story is
AS follows:
1t was when | was sub-oflicer in
AlgicrS that the affair, l am about to
speak of took place. The men of my
command were mostly natives, and we
had been ruch troubled by the large
number of deaths and mysterious disap-
pearanccs which had taken place among
them, and we had taken great pains to
find out tho causes. but were unable to
do so. l had understood that the men
were given to the practice of necromancy
and the worship of strange gods. Indeed,
had myself seen many remarkable feats
performed by them and it was, therefore,
no great surprise to me when an old ser
geant who had heard me express my in
tention to ferret ont the mysteries came
W Illt. ttIi'i III Al iiliiiet
that certain corporal could tell more
about them than anyone else, he chose.
This corporal had noticed as a man who
did his duty perfectly, but had little or
nothing to say to anyone, and always
went about alone. lie was from the in
terror of Africa, tall, garnt, with long,
r., IF 10 ,1n sta
preston, and the most remarkable eyes
ever bchcld Indeed, it was not e1traor-
binary that he should be said to have
''thc evil eye for if anyone ever pos
sessed that power it was he.
Bent on findin. out the mysteries, l
sent for the corporal and told him | had
understood that he could tell Inc about
them, and that he must do it. At first
he appeared confused AMI bcgant, NUT
ter to himself. finally saying he knew
nothing about the matter; but when l.,
putting on ny sternest look, told him
that knew he could make an explana-
ton, and uaesS he could do so | would
have him punished he drew himself up,
and giving me long aud penetrating
look, said that being punished would
make no difference to him, but that if |
was anxious to know the mysteries, |
must 90 with him alone, to a certain
place at midnight, when the moon was in
the third quarter. if | had courage enough
to do So without telling any one of my
object or trip, and that then he would
show me the causes OF the deaths and
disappearance; otherwise, he would tell
me nothing, punish him rs | might
after having examined the place of
the proposed meeting to soc If there were
any pitfalls or chances for ambush, and
finding the ground smooth and solid, and
no chance for approach i'll any direction
without discovery, resolved to go, and
sending for the corporal, told him my in
tention of accepting his proposal. AS he
| turned away | noticed his eyes CLEAN with
almost iiendish delight, which was not
! calculated to rcasSurc me. On the ap-
pointed night started out with him, and
| nothing was said by either until we reach
! ed the spot; here his manner suddenly
changed, and from the subdued and al
most servile bearing of the soldier became
stern and authoritative. Then he order
ed me toremove everything metallic from
NV person: at this felt sure that he had
a plan to rob me. but as | had CONC too
far to withdraw, and partly thinking it
might be only a part of his performance
| to require this, accordingly took off my
sword and my purse and watch from my
| pockets. and hung them on convenient
| branch, thinking this would be enough;
| but he insisted that must remove every
| thing metallic, or all would be in vain.
| then took off everything but my under
clothing. and said everything was gone.
| At this he appeared pleased, and stripped
himself entirely: then drawing a circle
around himself on the ground, he com
manded me that whatever should happen.
! | should not venture within it.
lie then said ho was prepared, and
would make everything clear to me pro
vidcd | said nothing and did nothing.
| Then, naked as he was, standing on the
grass, he began series of lamentations,
| and. standing up straight i'll front Of me
and looking me in the eye, he suddenly
became rigid and as suddenly disappear.
cd like a flash. Until then tho moon was
shining brightly around, and his form
stood out clear-cut against the sky, but
as | rubbed my eyes to look 1t suddenly
became dark, and clap of thunder
sounded after which it became clear
again, and as it did so, column OF
smoke arose from where the man had
stood. This gradually resolved itself,
strange to say. into the man himself, but
he appeared TRANSPORTED: his face, which
before was stern, had now become tiend.
ish and terrible. and his eyes flashed fire
AS | looked his gaze tranSfxcd me
and my hair began to rise. AS his look
continued heard screams as of agony,
and his expression suddenly changing tc
one of terror he cried, pointing to my
breast. ''You have lied, you have lied. y
As he said this there was a flash of light
with 4 loud report and he had again dis
appeared and all was clear moonlight
around. AS he had pointed to my breast
[ invountarily put my hand up and felt
a little leaden medal of the Virgin under
my shirt. which had quite forgotten
when removing my clothes. Almost
thunder-struck with the whole scene, see
ing no man visible and fearing then AZ
attack. | rushed to the tree where my
things were. seized my sword, and was
astonished to find it SO hot that | coulo
hardly hold it. Calling aloud the mans
name ran quickly around the clump o.
trees and looked in vain in every direc
ton for him. The moon was then shin
ing brightly, and any dark Inquire running
or lying down could easily be seen on the
light sand. Selling my clothes | hastily
pulled them on and ran as fast as | could
to the barracks. At once l called out
the guard, and. mounting myself, gave
orders to scour the country i'll every di
rcction, and bring every one found to me
| But it was all i'll vain, for after hours
searching, no traces could be found Of
any one, and all had for my pains wa,
that the men, surprised at my sudder
appearance and strange orders, simply
supposed that had become temporarily
insane. said nothing, however, and the
next day after roll-call the corporal was
reported absent. | had search quietly
made for him for some time, but he has
never turned up from that day to this
|