THICKS AND GAMES 269 



many tricks and games of their own. One white- 

 haired old fellow, who was evidently regarded as the 

 genius of the town, performed a trick with ashes on 

 his fingers, making them go away and return at 

 will. This quite puzzled us, and they had a laugh at 

 our expense. Cat's cradle they were quite familiar 

 with, and performed many combinations new to us. 

 They played it on their fingers and toes, in a very 

 expert manner. 



But the climax was reached when Shelley told them 

 he could take his teeth out and put them back again. 

 "No," they said; "you cannot do that, for that is 

 impossible." Shelley persisted, and said he would 

 show them that he told the truth. They threw more 

 fuel on to the fire, lighting up the small room in which 

 we were assembled, in order to see the great perform- 

 ance of the evening. Each face was a study of expec- 

 tation, as they leaned forward, eager to catch all there 

 was to be seen. Shelley hit his teeth with his nail, to 

 show them they were real (?) teeth ; and then, extract- 

 ing the plate, on which he had two or three false ones, 

 he opened his mouth, showing the gap where they had 

 been. They waited to see no more, but all started for 

 the small door at once. In their haste to get out, they 

 stuck, and I feared for a few moments, they would 

 tear the house down. Those who were unable to get 

 out at once, howled in their fright, creating a great 

 uproar ; and, in spite of our telling them that we were 



