The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-12-21

turn, and turn rapidly, and gradually
grow smaller, till it entirely disappeared,
as if the Irvine had been run off on q
reel. What turned it. or where it went
to, no one could see. The juggler then
set the other end up, and a new ball be-
gan to form on the top, but apparently
ribbon, of half an inch in width, and OF
different colors. These rolled up, as If
on bobbin, till it formed a wheel of
| two or three inches in diameter, when
the performer seemed to toss ribbon and
the tube over his shoulder, and that was
, the last saw of either.
He next produced what appeared to be
the same cup I had lifted from the
snake, showing something that looked
like an egg, advanced the same as be-
fore, and placed the latter on the ground
and the former over it, and again re-
quested me to raise it, which declined
to do, fearing should see another ser
pent, or something equally horrifying.
"Will you lift the cup?" he said, turn
ing to the others.
No one volunteered to do SO, but all
rather drew back.
At this he took up the cup himself and
appeared to throw it into the air, and
there sat in its place beautiful dove,
which flew up and alighted on his shout
der. He took it in his hand, muttered
over some unintelligible words, seemed
to cram it into his mouth, and that was
the last saw of that also.
He performed some other tricks SINH
lar to these, and concluded with the
m ysterious bag. This bag-which some
how came into his hands, as did all the
other things he used, in manner un-
known to us-was from two to three feet
| long, and about foot wide. It looked
as if it had been used to hold some kind
of flour; and certainly saw something
like the dust of -four fly from it when he
turned it inside out and beat it across
his hands. He turned it back again, and
tied it to the mouth with string, NUT
tering low incarnation.
This done, he threw it on the ground
and stamped on it, treading it all out
fat with his feet. He then stepped back
q few PAGES and requested us all to fix
our eyes on it. We did so; and after
the lapse of perhaps thirty seconds, we
saw it begin to swell up, like bladder
when being expanded with wind. 1t
continued to swell till every part be.
came distended, and it appeared as round
and solid as if filed with sand. Its
solidity, however, was only apparent
for when the juggler went up and placed
his foot on it, it yielded to the pressure,
but Immediately sprung back, or
rounded out, as soon as that was re-
moved. He then jumped on it with
both feet, and fattened it all out at first.
He then went away again; and the bag
being left to itself as before, again began
to rise, or initiate, but this time as if some
animal like cat were inside of it. In
fact, could see where there appeared to
be legs; and then to my utter amaze
ment, l may almost say my borrow, it
began to move toward me, as if impelled
by the unknown something in it!
| I do not think am coward-my
worst enemy has never accused me of
being one, at least-but confess that
on this occasion my nerves would not let
me remain passive; and I retreated from
the advancing mystery, and informed
the magician that had seen enough to
satisfy me Of his wonderful occult
powers. At this he smiled grimly,
walke1 up to the bag, trod it down again,
picked it up and beat it with his right
hand across the left, caused it to unac
countably disappear from my sight. and
then made his concluding salaam.
How these wonders we're performed
by what art, power. or magic-I do not
never expect to know. have conversed
with many persons who have seen quite
as strange unnatural things, but never
heard any one give any explanation that
considered at all satisfactory.
IF your excellency wills, will now
have the honor of showing you how l
charm the serpents, remarked the nee
| romancer.
I had heard something Of this singu-
lar power, and was DESTROYS OF seeing it
displayed. Accordingly myself and
attendants all repaired to an open field,
at no great distance, where, after some
search, Punjar discovered hole, in
which he said he doubted not there was
. snake.
But before I call him FORTH" he
proceeded, II must be assured that
some one OF sufficient courage will stand
eAdy to cut him down when / give the
signal-otherwise, should he prove to be
q cobra capella, my life may be
sacrificed"
II will myself undertake the bust.
ness," said I, drawing my sword for that
purpose.
The man hesitated, evidently fearing
to insult me With . doubt, but yet not
eager to risk his life on the strength Of
my nerves, after the display of timidity
I had already made. Thought / read
all this in the mans face, and I said,
very Doaitivelv-