Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-11-23

whose assistance he performed the tricks
we expected to witness.
But Abalani was alone.
then looked for the coil Of rope which
had heard played part in the strange
spectacle.
The fakr had brought none.
said to myself that we were TO be dis
appointed, and that the little weazen
limbed falir had come TO make excuses
for his inability to amuse rs thie time,
and could see that Kellar thought the
same.
But our host retained his wonted good
nature as though nothing was wrong,
and it was not the place of either Kellar
or myself to show disappointment.
Meanwhile the little fakir led the way
to smoDth bit of ground not far from
the house
Here we almost unconsciously formed
an expectant circle about him.
He spoke few words, and we main
tanned perfect silence under the spell
the little fellow seemed to throw around
him. But this was not the sensation of
gazing upon serpent that one expert
ences when witnessing the performances
of so many of his class.
my masters, you wish to see Akli
ciimb" he said in a cracking, restrained
tone.
"They do" our host answered for us
The man clapped his thin palms to-
gether twice smartly.
As he did SO small boy appeared by
his side like fash where there had
been no one the moment before. Kellar
started forward with an involuntary ex-
clamation on his lips. 1, too, was great
ly startled. The falrir had thrown aside
his silk mantle and stood before us
clothed only in his breechcloth. The
boy, handsome lad of apparently 10
or 12, was similarly clothed. AT myre.
quest he took my hand and gave it a
friendly pressure.
81 must have rope-must have a
ropeI" exclaimed Abalani nervously, and
he gesticulated in the air quickly with
his right arm, his actions seeming to
fascinate me.
"Ahv'
He ceased the action, and lowering
his arm displayed large coil of native
rope in his hand that it would have been
| impossible for him to have concealed
about his person. Then, with a quick
motion, he pitched one end of the coil
straight up into the air, keeping the 9th.
er end in his grasp.
The line seemed to catch up there in
the atmosphere. It staid there dangling
down between us.
Abalani ordered Akh to climb up, hur-
rying him with word of impatience
and stamp of his foot.
Akli shook the rope with one hand, as
if to see if it were quite secure, and then
did as he was requested.
Up, up, up, he clambered, higher and
higher, gradually growing smaller and
smaller as he assembled until he actually
disappeared from view. Yet we could
tell that he was still climbing away up
there, for the rope before us trembled
with the motion that he made. Abalani
did his best to study it.
Then suddenly the fakir clapped his
hands and sprang to one side. We heard
the rushing sound of a body falling
through the air, and then the form of
Akli landed upon his feet before us un-
hurt and smiling. Another clapping of
Abalani's hands, and rope and boy both
disappeared. srt
The fahir stood alone before us. Kellar
and were mystified. He, asked that
Abalani perform the trick again. When
it had been done second time, Abalani
left us as perplexed as before.
For my part I gave the whole riddle
up. l had seen many strange feat Of
jugglery, but this one completely non.
plused me. Kellar was determined not
to leave Boolak until he had satisfied
himself as to how the trick, or feat, had
been performed.
A week passed. Our host enjoyed
Kellar's Quandary keenly as a boy, and
joked him about it. However, KellaI
joined US on the porch one afternoon
with certain amused expression upon
his face that made me feel reasonably
sure that something interesting was up
II should like to see little Akli climl
just once more this afternoon" he said
dropping into a low steamer chair with
more satisfaction than had noticed hin
evince for the past week, "Con and
: should be leaving tomorrow or the mex
day at the latest"
To make known wish there was tx
have it gratifed. After coffee that aft
: ernoon Abalani came walking gravely
up the shaded path, his slight figure
clothed as before-in the flowing mantl,
and scanty breechcloth-that dark cop
+. per ring, shade lighter in color thar
the breast it hung against, his only dec
oration. As before, he was alone.
There were the same low salaams, hi
dry, hard palms that were of almost th'
whiteness of mine being stretched owe
D US. Few words were spoken. The maj
could not have been more deferential
e But at the same time thought that