The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-02
HOUDIN AND THE MARABOUTS.
Tricks with Which the French Magician
Astonished the Arab Fakirs.

From the Household World
To witness Hordin's first performance In
Algiers the neighboring tribes were invited.
The theatre was speedily filled with them and
the French officials. who attended in all their
pomp and glory. Interpreters were scattered
through the house in order to repeat Houdin's
remarks to the natives in their own language.
With true Oriental dignity and gravity. the
Arabs witnessed the first few tricks in stolid
silence. but the taking Of a huge cannon ball
from n borrowed hat aroused great excitement,
Then came the great tricks OF the evening. es-
pecially prepared to astonish the Arabs.
BY a wonderful power which I possess"
said Houdin. Il can deprive any man Of his
strength, I invite any one, to prove ny words
On this being interpreted to the Arabs a tall.
Hioudin held in his hand little iron box. and.
balancing it carelessly on his little finger. no
Are you strong
Yes replied the man carelessly.
Are you, sure OF always remaining 80"
Lii that box"
The Arab did so and asked contemptuously:
Watt said Houdin. making a solemn ges-
ture, Now YOU are weaker than n woman.
The Arab seized the handle and tugGed again.
He could not raise the box an inch from the
moment to brace himself Tor a final sT"rt. He
seized the handle again. but s%hrieked aloud
threw lis his CLOAK around n h" his face 10 conceal his
shame. and rushet from the theatre; leaving
his e 90 In, ns rs Str rs.T w was f star;t,j TGe TIE TEE
box was placed on a powerful electro-maGnet
and the current being complete, no man on o.
sent at a signal by Houdin from behind the
stage. was what caused the Arab to shrek and
before The, excitement caused by this trick
had subsidized, Hpudin announced that he had
q talisman which rendered him lnyulnerabie,
and hA IpfpI the best shot in AlRiprS to XIII
him. A marahout. Immediately sprang on the
staf Ga sHs;i1hm XIII g pii I %a .Whi IG t ths NH G ? EXAM n%n:
l pi:i;e! P! saa T!iI a I ,ff$$ sSS Yn'' $50 n is . s snra
put in a double charge Of powder. Here's a
wad, Takea bullet from this tray and mark
pistol well
1T Is done
is a good one. and you've loaded it we'll. SO Xiii
Yes" replied the marabout. II will do
Houlin took a pear. stuck It On a knife. and
walked a few PAGES IN front q the Arab, and
marked naa bullet was seen on the pear, Alter the
powder and ,wad were .rammcd home. and
slipped a little tube into the pistol. This tube
was, closed at the lower end. aud into this the
down > With tbs RI ramTod the tube ft,ed snugiy
on to i. and was withdTawn with 1t, belnG
Cco'ch ~ Wv AA"AASNs Se'' iiN N' '~' N'NA
On one occasion during his visit to Algiers
from which he only extricated himself by. his
quick-yittedness He was the guest Of an y
host and friends by a few tricks. One Of the
company was a, marabout. WHO asserted that
t dnpe sPfSS By SIsion IN AAi GaGis. R RaS Sssp pro @fsTssSS
the marahout's watch in his hand; and on
feeling his sash the marahopt found there q
other feats that Houdin was really. a sor'
eerer. he challenged him to repeat his per,
f9rmance. iin The theatre and PRODUCED tTe
Since you Know how to ward Of. bullets
Without losing his ssltoposfssissiG IN: Houdin Hx,
man which was with his possessions in Algiers
BY six hours prayer. however. can do with
out that At t ais , mar "a Hn n ~ at N = o'clock tomorrow
Attn appointed. time there was a large con,
course OF Arabs. which the new had attracted
The pistols were brought and, carefully exam
HoYIin handed hin a BUILT han from NTH the fo tray
his own pistol. and. walking about fitee,
PAGES away. turned and faced the marabout
The shot was fred, and The frenehman opephe;I
teeth. You could not kill me" he said. an
now. you shall see, what my shot can do" II
splash was seen on the wall before which h,
was standing. The Arab was untouched step
ping pin .T up to the st YAH l. ne S" dalr Pc i hIs l'4 tEet II WA VA
blood. collapsed in amazement.
Though The trick was simple 0nIv a Moads
wax, blackened i 70 look like lead, and run !
o; wax exactly resembling a bullet in appear
ance. II was with this bullet the marabou
CrS.6ld hi 10 n SS%de2 and 4 s in T"m IN iE e.; s II f@T'
his hs1 own body. ii'fTs he dropped into his iristo
; e eFSsh 12 T. hs il t s aq%s t ths E sSh'i Il w sa 4 broker RdS I
leaving q red splash OF blood.