Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-08

| est anu upright HtdTl, VI lilS PCSuioh
talent might have led me too far.
When 1 felt inclined for joke Of this
nature, I turned 1t to profit in con-
juring trick, or waited till my friend
him: Stay" I would say, handing
him the stolen article, '1et this serve
as lesson to put you on your guard
against persons less honest than my
self"
! But to return to our Marabout. 4
had stolen his watch as passed near
him, and slipped into its place Ave-
franc piece.
To prevent his detecting 1t, and
while waiting till could profit by my
larceny, I improvised a trick. After
juggling away Bou-Allem's rosary,
made 1t pass into one Of the numerous
| slippers left at the door by the guests;
this shoe was next found to be full Of
coins, and to end this little scene COM
| ically, I made five-franc pieces come
out of the noses of the spectators.
They took such pleasure in this trick
that fancied should never terminate
1t. "Douros! Douros!" they shout
ed, as they twitched their noses. L
willingly acceded to their request and
the douros issued at command.
The delight was so great that sew
eral Arabs rolled on the ground; this
coarsely expressed joy on the part of
MNl,
applause to me.
I pretended to keep aloof from the
Marabout, who, as I expected, remain
ed serious and impassive.
When calm was restored. my rival
began speaking hurriedly to his neigh
bors, as If striving to dispel their IL
lusion, and, not succeeding, he ad-
dressed me through the interpreter:
you will not deceive me in that
way" he said. with crafty look.
why so?"
Because I don't believe in your
power"
"Ah, indeed! Well, then, II you do
not believe in my power, I will compel
| you W DcueNc
Neither in one nor the other"
| 1 was at this moment the whole
length of the room from the Marabout.
Stay" I said to him! you see this
fve-franc piece"
yes"
"Close your hand firmly, for the
piece will go into 1t in spite Of your
self"
"I am ready" the Arab said, in an
incredulous voice, as he held out his
| tightly closed fist.
I took the piece at the end Of my
fingers, so that the assembly might all
see it, then, feigning to throw it at the
Marabout, it disappeared at the word
Pass"
My man opened his hand and finding
nothing in it, shrugged his shoulders,
as if to say. You see, I told you So"
I was we'll aware that the piece was
not there, but it was important to
draw the Marabout's attention momen-
tarily from the sash, and for this pur-
pose employed the feint.
THAT does not surprise me-" re-
piled, "for I threw the piece with much
strength that it went right through
your hand, and has fallen into your
SASH Being afraid might break your
watch by the blow, l called it to me;
here it isl" And I showed him the
watch in my hand.
The Marabout quickly put his hand
in his waist-belt, to assure himself Of
the truth, and was quite stupefied at
finding the five-franc piece.
The spectators were astonished.
Some among them began telling their
beads with a vivacity evidencing a
certain agitation Of mind; but the Ma
rabout frowned without saying a
word, and I saw he was spelling over
some evil design.
81 now believe in your supernatural
power" he said; you are a real sor-
cerer: hence I hope you will not fear
to repeat here trick you performed
| in your theatre" And offering me
two pistols, which he held concealed
beneath his bunoose, he added:
Come, choose one Of these pistols.
We will load it, and will fire at you.
You have nothing to fear, as you can
ward off all injuries"
I confess that I was for a moment
staggered. I sought a subterfuge, but
found none. All eyes were fixed upon
me. and a reply was anxiously await
ed.
The Marabout was triumphant.
! Bou-Allem, being aware that my
tricks were only the result Of skill,
was angry that his guest should be so
pestered; hence he began reproaching
the Marabout. stopped him, however,
for an idea had occurred to me which
would save me from my dilemma, al
least temporarily; then, addressing my
adversary:
| You are aware" said with assur-
ance. that require talisman in or
der to be invulnerable. and, unfortu-
nately. I have left mine at Algiers."
The Marabout began laughing with
an incredulous air.
STILL" 1 continued, Il can, by re-
naming six hours at prayers, do with
out the talisman, and defy your wea-
pom. To morrow morning, at s o'clock,
will allow you to fire at me in the
presence of these Arabs, who were wit
nesses Of your challenge"
| Rou Allen, astonshed at such
promise. asked me once again If this
offer were serious, and if he should in
vite the company for the appointed
hour. On my affirmative, they agreed
to meet before a stone-bench which
they knew Of.
did not spend my night at pray
ers. as may be supposed, but 1 en-
ployed about two hours in insuring my
invulnerability. Then, satisfied with
the result, 1 slept soundly, for 1 was
very tired.
BY eight the next morning we mad
breakfast, our horses were saddled