The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-20
EXPERIENCE WITH A FAK0R
TRAVELLER IN INDIA HAD WEIRD ADVENTURE WHEN HE TRIE
TO PHOTOGRAPH MAGICIANs TRICK.

balloon until the upper end was lost
to sight and the lower end hung about
two feet above the ground. Click
VENT the camera, n I pulled it under
my coat just as the old fakir whirled
around, throwing a wicked glance
from me to the two Tommies and back
again to me.
"A wave of his hand brought the
boy to him. who, grasping the rope,
climbed up hand over hand, until he
looked like a bird in the sky and fin
ally disappeared altogether. Again
the camera clicked and was safely un-
der my coat, when the malevolent
scrutiny Travelled from me to the two
soldiers, and back to linger on me
with blazing hate.
1.-The older assistant was motioned
for. He came, climbed and disap-
peared; but this time the blazing eye
glared full into mine. and the camera
stayed under my coat
After a long period during which
those baleful eyes seemed to pierce
me through and through, their owner
again turned to the rope. and with
much shouting and gesticulating, or
dered his helpers to come down.
There was a pause; then the rope was
dashed back and forth at a furious
rate, and something fell with a crash
at its foot. The old fakir started back
with horror, then sprang forward, and
turning over the shapeless mass,
showed us the crushed and mangled
form of the boy. He knelt by the
bleeding corpse. wailing and pulling
his beard. knocking his head to the
ground and throwing dirt in his hair
Suddenly he sprang to his feet, shook
his fist In the air, and cursed. He
would have revenge. Running to the
pile of paraphernalia, he picked out a
short, curved sword. felt its edge, and
with much cursing he stuck it in his
belt and started to climb the rope.
Here was my chance, and the cam
era clicked, but even as it clicked he
turned, and I am sure the curses hurl-
ed at me We're worse than those heap
d upon his false assistant. With q
snarl he was on the ground, and at a
motion of his hand I rose, scared
through the air. and stood beside him.
Another wave of his hand and I start
ed going up the rope, he following,
] seemed light as a feather, using no
effort to climb. but only holding to the
rope a I knew II I let go I would
soar into space, and although paraly-
zed with fear at my present condition
I felt that would be worse.
las I climbed, or assembled, I saw
the crowd standing below me, and,
looking at the place I had occupied,
! was shocked to see what seemed to
be myself standing in the same place
standing stiff and motionless with
outstretched arms still holding the
camera. If ] could only take a snap
shot now, I thought, and quick as the
thought l saw my hands move, and
family heard the camera snap.
Looking up l saw the first assistant
clinging to the rop above me-fear
written on his face. And we'll might
he be afraid. for, letting go of the
rope, the fakir sprang over my head,
and, catching the young man by the
hair, drew his sword, and with one
blow severed the head and threw Il
down. The body still clinging to the
rope. he tore 1t away and threw II
after.
THE next instant I felt his hand in
my hair, and tried to Shrek, but could
utter no sound wen when I felt the
keen sword crash through my spine
and that he was holding my head
out at arms length. He gazed at Il
for a moment: then with a flendish
chuckle, pulling one of my hands from
the rope. he made me hold my head
by the hair as he had done. With q
look of heliish Joy he then proceeded
to cut off my legs. n at a time, and
let them fall to the ground, pausing to
enjoy his work. Then he severed my
body in the middle. and. last of all, my
arms at the shoulders. letting the
pieces fall n at a time. until only
one arm chung to the rope. This he
also pulled loose, and sent it to join