(who has thrown
down a copper).

The contributions now apparently sufficing for the present, the
performance proceeds, but the crowd having edged a little too close,
it is first necessary to increase the space in the centre by swinging
one of the reptiles round by the tail, whereat all start back.

"Ah! you may well be afraid!" exclaims the charmer. "Their fangs mean
death, if you only knew it, but for the mercies of my lord, the son of
Aisa."

"Ameen!" responds the chorus.

Hereupon he proceeds to direct the head of the snake to his mouth, and
caressingly invites it to enter. Darting from side to side, it finally
makes a plunge down his throat, whereon the strangers shudder, and the
_habitues_ look with triumphant awe. Wildly he spins on one foot that
all may see, still holding the creature by the neck with one hand, and
by the tail with the other. At length, having allowed the greater part
of its length to disappear in this uncanny manner, he proceeds to
withdraw it, the head emerging with the sound of a cork from a bottle.
The sight has not been pleasant, but the audience, transfixed, gives a
sigh of relief as the tambourines strike up again, and the reed chimes
in deafeningly.

"Who says they are harmless? Who says their fangs are extracted?"
challenges the performer. "Look here!"

The seemingly angry snake has now fastened on his arm, and is
permitted to draw blood, as though in reward for its recent treatment.

"Is any incredulous here? Shall I try it on thee?"

The individual addressed, a poverty-stricken youth whose place was
doubtless required for some more promising customer behind, flees in
terror, as the gaping jaws approach him. One and another having been
similarly dismissed from points of vantage, and a redistribution
of front seats effected, the incredulous are once more tauntingly
addressed and challenged. This time the challenge is accepted by a
foreigner, who hands in a chicken held by its wings.

"So? Blessed be God! Its doom is sealed if it comes within reach of
the snake. See here!"

All eagerly press forward, many rising to their feet, and it is
difficult to see over their shoulders the next gruesome act. The
reptile, held by the neck in the performer's right hand, is shown the
chicken in the other, and annoyed by having it poked in its face, too
frightened to perceive what is happening. In a moment the fangs are
shot out, and a wound inflicted in the exposed part under the wing.
Blo