GO AN EGYPTIAN SNAKE CHABMER 



' That is the third,' said Delaporte. ' And now, tell 

 me, where are the rest? ' 



1 There are three in the kitchen,' replied Ahd-el-Kerim, 

 rather sadly. 



' Very good,' said the Consul ; ' that will just make up 

 the half-dozen. Let us go to the kitchen.' 



At the first call a serpent crawled from under the 

 water-butt. 



Abd-el-Kerim placed it in the fourth jar, with a deep 

 sigh. 



' Come, come, courage ! . I want my half-dozen ! ' said 

 the Consul cheerfully. 



' Enta tafesscd el senaa ! ' cried the enraged Arab in 

 reply, which, being translated, means ' Certainly you are a 

 spoil sport.' But it was ho use. 



The snake charmer had to own himself beaten, and in 

 order to save the last two serpents confessed his tricks. 



Then Delaporte took pity on him and gave him forty 

 francs, which Abd-el-Kerim pocketed greedily, but could 

 not help murmuring : ' Four serpents which danced so 

 well ! They were worth more than that ! ' 



