Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-11-04

when being expanded with wind.
continued to swell till every part be-
came distended, and it appeared al
round and solid as if filled with sand
Its solidity, however, was only apparent
for when the iuggler went up anc
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 q cat were
inside of it. In fact, 1 could see where
there appeared to be legs; and then to
my utter amazement, I may almost say
horror. it began to move toward me- as
if impelled by the unknown something
in it
do not think I am a coward-my
worst enemy has never accused me of
being one, at least-but 1 confess that
on this occasion my nerves would not
let me remain passive; and 1 retreated
from the advancing mystery, and in.
formed the magician that I had seen
enough to satisfy me of his wonderful
occult powers. At this he smiled grinly
walked up to the bag, trod it down
again. picked it up and beat it with his
right hand across his left, caused it to
unaccountably disappear from my sight
ana then made his concluding salaam,
How these wonders were performed =
oy what art, power, or magic-I do not
and never expect to know. have con.
versed with many persons who haze
seen qaite as strange unnatural things,
but never heard any one give any ex-
planation that I considered at all salts
factory.
"If your excellency wills, shall now
have the honor of showing you how
charm serpents," said the necromancer.
l had heard something of this singu-
lar power, and was desirous of seeing it
displayed. 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 he doubted not there was
a snake.
But before I call him FORTH" he
proceeded, 81 must be assured that
some one of sufficient courage will stand |
ready to cut him down when I give the
sIgnal-otherwise, should he prove to be- |
cobra capella, my life may be
81 will myself undertake the bust.
aess," said I. drawing my sword.
The man hesitated. evidently fearing
10 insult me by doubt, and yet not
Eager to risk his life on the strength of
ny nerves, after the display of timidity
had already made. I thought 1 read
III this in the mans face, and said.
'ery positively
"Never fear, good sir! l will cut
town whatever you bring up this time,
'e it snake or devil |"
my life is at your excellency's
Mercy" bowed the man with show OF
humility. "Remember the signal
When I raise my hand above my head,
nay the blow be swift, sure, and
eadlyp
He then gave his whole attention to
he business before him. Putting an
Instrument, not unlike fageolet, to his
ps, he began to play shrill, mono
onous, disagreeable sort of tune
eeping his eyes riveted upon the hole
the ground; and soon after, to my
tier astonishment, though had been I
repaired for anything, l saw the ugly
cad of the hooded snake, the dread t
obra capella, the most poisonous of all I
eadly reptiles, come slowly forth. with
is epectacled eyes fixed steadily upon '
he strange musician, who began to
streat backward slowly, step at q
me, the snake following him. s
When at length, in this manner, he
ad drawn the hideous creature some ::
IN or fifteen feet from it's hole, he sud- o
emily squatted down and began to play p
ore loudly and shrllly. At this the Il
rpent raised itself on it's tail, as when b
'out to make his deadly spring, and Al
'tually commenced dancing motion, W
time with the music, when the G.
larmer gave me the signal to strike, is
and stealthily advanced p
ar enough for the blow, and then il
'uck, cutting the reptile in two, and tt
nding it's head flying to some distance. th
never took life with better salts OF
,tion. III
deception there might be a.
out the iuggler's tricks, there was :,
'tainly none about the snake, for nj
We its skin still in my possession. n
Ve the man couple of gold mohurs. -