The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-02-22

me here it is And l showed him tn,
watch in my hand.
The Marabout quickly put his hand il
his waist-belt, to assure himself of the truth
and was quito stupefed at finding the FIVE
franc piece.
"Ths spectators were astounded. Some
among them began telling their beads with q
vivacty evidencing a certain agitation oil
mind but the Marabout frowned without
saying word and I saw he was spelling over
some evil design
"sI now believe in your supernatural
power, he said you are a real sorcerer
hence, l hope you will not fear to repeat here
trick you performed in your theatre; and
Offering me two pistols he held concealed be-
meath his burnous, he added, Come, choose
one of these pistols we will load it, and
you can ward off all blows
81 confess was for a moment staggered;
sought subterfuge and found none. All
eyes were fixed upon me, and reply was
anxiously awaited.
1.-THE Marabout was triumphant.
were only the result of skill, was angry that
his guest should be SO pestered hence he be-
gan reproaohng the Marabout. stopped
him, however, for an idea occurred to me
which would save me from my dilemma, at
least temporarily then, addressing my ad-
versary
"sYou are aware I said, with assurance,
that require talisman in order to be in
vulnerable, and, unfortunately, have left
mine at Algiers'
"The Marabout began laughing with an
incredulous air.
"' Still,' l continued, I can do without
the talisman, and defy your weapon. To-
morrow morning, at eight o'clock, | will
allow you to fire at me in the presence of
these Arabs, who were witnesses of your chal-
lenge.
"Bou-A Allen, astonished at such promise,
and if he should invite the company fer the
appointed hour. On my affirmative, they
agreed to meet before the stone bench have
already alluded to.
81 did not spend all my night at prayer, as
may be supposed, but employed about two
satisfied with the result, | slept soundly, for l
was terribly tired.
by eight the next morning we had
breakfasted, our horses were saddled, and
! nnr ascnrt Was awaiting the signal for our de-
parture which would take place after the
famous experiment.
None of the guests were absent, and, in
deed, great number of Arabs came in to
swell the crowd.
The pistols were handed me | called at
tentiop to the fact that the vents we're clear
and the Marabout put in a fair charge of pow
der and drove the wad home. Among the
bullets produced, l chose one which openly
put in the pistol and which was then covered
with paper.
1.-The Arab watched all these movements,
for his honor was at stake.
1--WE went through the same process with
the second pistol and the solemn moment ar
rived.
"Solemn, indeed, it seemed to everybody
to the spectators who were uncertain of the
issue, to Madame Houdin, who had in vain
besought me to give up this trick, for she
feared the resultant solemn also to me, for
as my new trick did not depend on any of the
arrangements made at Algiers feared an
error, an act of treachery-I knew not what.
"Stil posted myself at fifteen PAGES from
the shek, without evincing the slightest
emotion.
"The Marabout Immediately seized one of
the pistols, and on my giving the signal, took
a deliberate aim at mo. The pistol went off,
and the ball appeared between my teeth.
More angry than ever, my rival tried to
seize the other pistol, but l succeeded in
reaching it before him.
go You could not injure me-, said to him,
but you shall now see that my aim is more
dangerous than yours. Look at the WALL
~ pulled tho trigger, and on the newly
white washed wall appeared large patch of
blood, exactly at the spot where had aimed.
"The Marabout went up to it, dipped his
finger in the blood, and, raising it to his
mouth, convinced himself Of the reality
When he acquired this certainty, his arms
fell, and his head was bowed on his chest as
if he were annihated.
at was evident that for the moment hs
doubted everything, even the Prophet.
"The spectators raised their eyes to heaven,
muttered prayers, and regarded me with a
species of terror.
"Ths scene was triumphant termination
to my performance. l therefore retired,
leaving the audience under the impression
had produced. We took leave Of Bou-Allem
and his son, and set off at gallop.
"The trick have just described, though
so curious, is easily prepared I will give q
description of it, while explaining the trouble
it took me.
GAS soon as was alone In my room, took
out of my pistol case-without which | never
travel--a bullet mould.
81 took card, bent up the four edges,
and thus made sort of trough, in which
placed piece of wax taken from one Of the
candles. When it was melted, mixed with
it little lamp-black l had obtained by put
| ting the blade of knife over the candle and