The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12
A SNAKE CHARMER IN CAIRO.
Powers Alleged to Be Developed by
Diet of Snakes Heads.


New York Sun.
The Algerian papers report the death of
the famous snake charmer, Hadj- Ali-ben-
Chiekh-ben Aisa, aged u5. This fact has
led NJ Vigouroux to relate In Paris paper
an experience he had in Cairo last spring
with a snake charmer.
AT Cairo there is on old palace which Is
now used as an orphan asylum. Mr.. Wig
ing leisurely in one of the streets OF the
old city. They noticed mild-looking your
man, carrying a black leather bag, such IS
is always carried by serpent charmers. His
face was pale. somewhat feminine, and his
gait was loose and indolent, but his eyes
were strange and singularly piercing They
at once engaged him TO come the next day TO
the palace of Engha-Hanem. Guards were
stationed around the building to prevent the
charmer from getting into 1t before the
led into the first courtyard: He was asked
if there were any snakes there.
YES" he replied, "a great many"
Quoted to an inner court in the center Of the
palace. There he was asked If he could
catch snake. The charmer whistled for a
few seconds, and then listened attentively.
YES" said he, "there is snake on this
slde." pointing to the wall A bargain was
then made with him. the rate being a shjl-
ling snake. He Immediately went to work
with the air of a man who understood his
business and was perfectly sure of the re-
suits.
Standing in the center of the court, gaz-
ing at the wall where he said the reptile
was concealed, he began TO recite a prayer
or conjuration in Arabic, in which he ad-
dressed the serpent. saying in substance
that everything and every creature must
yield TO the power Of God He also invoked
Solomon and some celebrated Mussulman
personages- While he was reciting this for
mula he sometimes stood perfectly straight,
sometimes he leaned forward, and lastly he
fell on his knees. When he had finished
he picked up a little rod that lay beside him
and scratched the wall with ii, advancing
toward the door Of the building leading to
the court. At the door he stopped and said:
Here he Is; come and look at him."
The party advanced, and on a line with
his arm at the place where he had directed
the rod they distinctly saw the head OF
snake protruding from a hole In the wall:
pulled out long, thin and wriggling rep
tile. He made 1t fasten It's fangs in his gar
ment. Then he pulled violently and showed
threw the reptile on the ground excited it
and tossed II into his leather bag.
How did you know" he was asked, that
there was a snake in that wall?
II smeit him." was the answer.
And certainlythere seemed to be no room
to suspect taking in the exploit. One of
the party remarked that the charmer might
possibly have snakes concealed in his
clothes. The fellow Immediately threw off
his blue blouse, which was his only cover
ing, and shook 1t in the presence OF the as
semblage. He was asked If there were any
more snakes in that court. After a mo-
ment's inspection he replied:
In this wall there Is a big one and lit
tie one
He was told to catch the little one t.rst,
He recited his prayer, and added to Ii a
command to the big snake to lie still while
he captured the little one. Then he proceed
ed with his wand along the wall, as before.
When he reached the door he called us, say
ing: Here he isl!
The head was sticking out Of the hole He
grabbed it, pulled out the snake and broke
its fangs in the manner described above.
But the reptile bit him in the arm and drew
mi II
the snake on the ground among the specta-
tors, who stood in utter amazement. Then
he went at work again.
1t was the big snakes turn now He was
yanked out like the other two. Notwith-
standing the apparent impossibility Of fraud,
the thing was so surprising that doubts
were still expressed. .e.. ~ -, +
Let him come into the garden" said one
Of the spectators, land catch snakes there.
Then will be convinced" it
The charmer accepted the offer. ,;g
IF there are any there said he" will
catch them, but l cannot tell beforehand
whether there are any or not, because at
this time of the year the heat is not yet
suficient for them, and the greater number
of snakes are still in the holes of old walls. -
He was led out into the garden. At five or
he began to whistle. Then he announced
a snake
yes. there are two" said he. Then.
STOPPING down, he pulled one out, and, as
he had left his leather bag In the courtyard.
he put the head of the reptile in his mouth
and held it there while he secured the Sec
Ond
This last exploit closed the hunt. On be-
ing asked IL he was not afraid when he put
the head of that poisonous snake into his
mouth, he replied:
''Oh. no; If it were not ramazan time, i
would have aten the head 1t was from
eating the heads of snakes in my youth that
acquired the power Of finding and catching
them
That explanation was not satisfactory.
Neither was his formulas of adiuration, but
the spectators left with the idea that the
mysteries of his profession were well worth
an investigation by scientific men