The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1904-11-03

with that air Of perfect resignation
Of which only the people OF the East
are capable Occasionally he would
run his fingers through his thick
black hair, look out upon the river as
II he saw some object Of interest
upon It's CLASSY surface, and then be-
gin IN low, monotonous voice one OF
his Indian yarns.
It was about the snake charmers
that he loved TO talk the best Of all.
At times he would wax eloquent over
this uncanny theme, his usual non
chalance giving place 10 feverish
earnestness He used TO maintain
stoutly that there Is a subtle affinity
between snakes and the human race,
the psychology OF which is not under
stood
IL tell you" he said on one occa-
sion. you have no idea how a snake
and n man who possesses the gift
can read each others thoughts. You
talk about mind readers, they have
lot TO learn yet from those dusky
devils in India who conjure with the
| descendants OF the tempter Of Eve.
| once I saved the life OF professional
snake charmer-the old fellow slipped
| into the river among the crocodiles,
and I pulled him out just in the nick
OF time-and out OF gratitude, I pre-
| sumo. he gave me few lessons in
his exalted art | must have been
nm apt pupil, for before left / could
| charm "A cobra every time"
For some minutes he said nothing
more. falling into one OF his old fits Of
abstraction. Then he reused himself
| and said. with slight SILVER: But
there was fearful fascination about
IT." and apparently forgetting ny
presence, passed into the house.
One evening. after an exceptionally
hot day. instead of taking our accus-
toned places on the veranda we
strolled out to knoll overlooking
tho river, where we could enjoy the
slight breeze that drew up the chan
mel.
Within a few feet OF Kcister was
pile OF stones upon which the sun
had been beating mercilcssly all day.
| was lying fiat on my back with my
hands locked under my head, enjoy
ing my evening smoke, when | hoard
my companion utter sharp eXclama.
tion of surprise. Turning to him
saw his eyes rivctcd upon tho stone
heap. and I'm "A moment "a large rattle
snake came gliding out Of the pile
Instantly Kcistcr was sitting cross
legged and gazing steadily into the
reptiles eyes.
was too terrified to move or speal
and watched like one I'm a trance.
For time the snake wavcred, then
approaching to- within IA foot of Keis
tor's lowered face. It twisted into {
! coil, and thrusting up its head more
than foot from the gray-brown mass
swayed with a rhythmic motion lik'
that of a rush in running water. Th'
two gaZed into each others eyes =.
II each were reading the inmost secre
of the others being. For a mCmen
the snakes bcad-likc eyes seemed 4
soften till they looked almost human
while koister's eyes took on hare
glitter, and his face became contorte,
until 1t appeared the incarnation o
evil.
Presently the snake turned an
glided back To the stone heap. Whe'
IL had disappeared Keister locke
about him in daZcd way, as II Il
were trying TO recall something. The
he flung himself upon his face, an
bursting into tumult of sobs, @,
claimed, brokcnly: MY God!
thought | was delivered from he
when left lndia!"
Feeling that | was poworiess
comfort him. ] went back to tn
house. leaving him TO wrestlc with hi
trouble alone under the quiet STAR