The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-17

gazing at the wall where he said the rep
tile was concealed, he began to fcclte
a prayer Of COMPUTATION in Arabic IN
which he addressed the serpent, saying
in substance that everything and every
creature must yield to the power of God.
He also invoked Solomon and some cele-
brated Mussulman personages. While nc
was reciting this formula 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 on the wall with It, advancing
toward the door of the building leading
to the court At the door he stopped and
Here he is; come and look al him."
The party advanced, and on a line with
his arm at the place where he had direct,
ed the rod, they distinctly saw the head
of a snake protruding from hole in the
wall The snake charmer grabbed the
head and pulled out long, thin, and
wriggling reptile. He made 1t fasten its
fangs in his garment. Then he pulled vio-
lently and showed the snakes teeth in
the stuff. At last he threw the reptile on
the ground excited it, and tossed 1t into
his leather bag
How did you know" he was asked,
that there was a snake in that WALTZ"
II smet him. was the answer
And certainly there 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
only covering and shook it in the pres
ence OF the assemblage. He was asked
If there were any more snakes in that
court After a moments inspection he re-
an this wall there is a big one and a
sttle one"
arst. He recited his prayer. and added to
A. command to the big snake to lie still
while he captured the little one. Then he
proceeded with his wand along the wall,
as before When he reached the door he
called us. saying, Here he ISL
The head was sticking out of the hole
Sroke It's fangs in the manner described
above. But the reptile bit him in the
arm and drew blood The bite didn't both
~ him. lie threw the snake on the
ground among the spectators, who stood
On utter amazement. Then he went at
cork again.
It was the big snakes turn now. He was
yanked out ike the other two. Notwlth-
standing the apparent impossibility of
fraud, the thing was so surprising that
doubts were still expressed.
Let him come into the garden" said
there. Then we will be convinced"
The charmer accepted the offer.
IF there are any there, said he. Il
will catch them; but ] cannot tell before
hand whether there are any or not, be-
cause at this time of the year the heat
is not yet sufficient 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 six PAGES from heap of rubbish and
weeds he began to whistle. Then he an
nounced 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
into his mouth and held 1t there while
he secured the second.
This last exploit closed the hunt On be-
ing asked If he was not afraid when he
put the head of that poisonous snake in
to his mouth, he replied:
"Oh, no: If it were not ramazan time, /
would have eaten 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 adjuration
but the spectators left with the idea that
the mysteries of his profession were well
worth an investigation by scientific men.