Evening star., 1896-03-07

in the cocoanut and the other end is inserted
tightly In the seat bar aperture and the
boat Is filled with water.
At intervals of a few seconds the action
OF the water and air will throw a stream
from the small hole in the side of the cocoa
nut into the boat 1t appears to flow and
stop at the viii of the juggler for he regu-
lates his commands according to the time
necessary.
Dancing Duck Trick.
The dancing duck" trick which followed
has often defed detection. Figure 1 in cut
shows half cocoanut supported by three
stones. Nathoo filled this with water and
soon small duck (fgure . appeared on the
surface, and at his command bowed and
danced to the beating of a small torratom.
A horse hair fastened with wax to the
ducks breast and passing down through a
ure b. was the simple means by which Ma.
thoo made the duck dance. He held IT with
the hand that beat the tomtom.
After this came the famous mangoe trick
OF which every one has heard. 1t looked
very strange and mysterious, but the ex-
pianation makes one feel like kicking him.
sell Tor not having discovered it himself
Nathoo took a small flower pot nearly
n!ieo with earth, and over 1t placed a cloth
about half as big as a bed sheet
AFTER moments Incarnation he lifted
Inc basket to one side, raised the cloth, and
showed in the earth a small, green sprout.
which he had quickly put there by his cley-
er palming.
The pot was again covered with the cloth.
and Nathoo prayed some more to his little
god, played on his hCrnpipe, beat his tom
tom, grasped snail bag, in which the
mangce bush was concealed, brought it
around in front of him, removed the bag
stuck the bush into the earth. took away
the cloth cover, and there was the miracle
right before U.S.
1t was all exasperatingly simple when Mr..
Rood later did the trick very slowly.
The Basket Mystery.
Nathco's last miracle" was the great
basket mystery. which he successfully per-
formed with Mr.. Roods assistance. This is
said to be performed by the aid of the ma
hatmas, and in India is considered nothing
short of supernatural
This trick consists in putting a man into
net, in which he is tightly tied, and then
laid across the top of basket. about three
feet long, eighteen inches wide and two
feet derp.
A sheet is then placed over all, and within
ten seconds the net is thrown out from un-
derneath the sheet, III which is inclosed the
turban Of the juggler. who has apparently
disappeared from the basket.
moment later the cover of the basket is
removed by the conjurer who is perform
ing the trick. and who, after arranging the
sheet loosely over the basket, stamps on ii
and sit down in it,
After this he gets up. places the lid on the
basket, DlndS IL tightly with ropes, and
tken with sharp stick or sword pierces
the basket v.ciously on all Sides through a
small hole in the center of the top.
This always convinces the spectators that
the basket is empty, and greatly puzzles
them, for previous inspection has satisfied
all that no trap door or secret passages arc
us ed.
When the man is placed in the net he inn
n. ediately loosens the cord which runs from
top to bottom, and when it is loosened IL
allows him to get out through the side,
leaving his headgear IN the net. He laces
this to gether again with the cord attached.
SO that it may be examined after ii is
II rown out. leaving no trace of his escape
from the net
Then. while the cover is being removed,
the juggler in the basket curls himself
around the edge, with his feet folded close
ly backward against his body (figure ID,
which allows ample room for the assistant
to stand and sit in the basket.
During the sword thrusts he lies with his
knees drawn tightly against his chest.
changing petition to allow the sword
or stick to strike the four sides of the
basket.
After this ordeal of lodging swords or
sticks. and after the mysterious incanta-
tions by the chief juggler the basket seems
to take life and rolls about and after the
cover is removed the occupant is pulled out.