Alexandria Gazette

HOUDIN, THE CONJURER.

Among the feats of Houdin, the noted French conjurer, whose autobiography has recently appeared in Paris, the following is an instance of his nerve, and of his full command of the art. Houdin visits Algiers and has a trial of skill with the Marabouts or conjurers of that country.

After having performed the trick, says he, of suffering an Arab to fire at me with a loaded pistol, the ball appearing inside an apple in my hand, I journeyed into the interior, and there met several Marabouts one of whom told me that he was not to be deceived.

"Why so?"

"Because I don't believe in your power."

"Ah! indeed! Well, then, if you don't believe in my power, I will compel you to believe in my skill."

"Neither in one nor in the other."

I was at this moment the whole length of the room from the Marabout.

"Stay!" I said to him; "you see this five frane piece?"

"Yes."

"Close your hand firmly, for the piece will go into it in spite of yourself."

"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 well aware it was not there, but it was important to throw the Marabout's attention from his sash, and for this purpose I employed the feint.

"That does not surprise me," I replied "for I threw the piece with such strength that it went right through your hand, and has fallen into your sash. Being afraid I might break your watch by the blow, I called it to me. Here it is!" and I showed him the watch in my hand. The Marabout quickly put his hand in his belt, to assure himself of the truth, and was quite stupified at finding the five-franc piece..

The spectators were astounded. Some of them began telling their beads, but the Marabout frowned without saying a word, and I saw he was spelling over some evil design.

"I now believe in your power," he said; "you are a real sorcerer;" and offering me two pistols he held concealed under his burnous, he added, "Come, choose one of these pistols; we will load it, and I will fire it at you. You have nothing to fear, for I saw you perform this trick at your own theatre."

I confess I was for a moment staggered I sought a subterfuge, and found none. All eyes were fixed upon me, and a reply was anxiously awaited.

At last I thought of an idea which would save me from my dilemma, at least temporarily. "To-morrow morning," said I, "at eight o'clock, I will allow you to fire at me in the presence of these Arabs, who were witnesses of your challenge." The Marabout, surprised at my compliance, assented, and summoned all the company to be present.

By eight the next morning we had breakfasted, and on entering the hall we found none of the guests were absent. Indeed, a great number of Arabs came in to swell the crowd.

The pistols were handed me. I called attention to the fact that the vents were clear, and the Marabout put in a fair charge of powder, and drove the wad home. Among the bullets produced, I chose one which I openly put in the pistol, and which was then also covered with paper.

The Arab watched all these movements for his honor was at stake. We went through the same movements with the second pistol, and the solemn moment arrived.

Solemn indeed it seemed to everybody, to the spectators, who were uncertain of the issue—to Madame Houdin, who had in vain besought me to give up this trick: for she feared the result; and solemn also to me, for as my new trick did not depend on any arrangements heretofore tried. I feared an error—an act of treachery—I know not what.

Still I posted myself fifteen paces from the sheik, without evincing the slightest emotion.

The Marabout immediately seized one of the pistols, and, on my giving the signal, took a deliberate aim at me. The pistol went off, and the ball appeared between my teeth.

More angry than ever, my rival tried to seize the other pistol, but I succeeded in reaching it before him. "You could not injure me," I said; "but you shall now see that my aim is more dangerous than yours. Look on that wall."

I pulled the trigger, and on the newly white washed wall there appeared a large patch of blood, exactly at the spot where I had aimed. The Marabout went up to it, dipped his finger in the blood, and raising it to his mouth, convinced himself of the reality.

When he acquired this certainty, -his arms fell, and his head was bowed upon his chest as if he were annihilated. It, was evident that for a moment he doubted everything, even the Prophet. The spectators raised their eyes to heaven, muttered prayers, and regarded me with a species of terror.