SNAKE-CHARMING. 327 



aud in due time the snake made its appearance. The 

 father, who was watching with loaded gun, at once 

 fired, and sent his shot through the reptile's head. 

 The girl at once fell down fainting, while the snake, 

 after rolling and twisting about, died. The girl re- 

 covered, but when she saw the monster was dead, 

 swooned again. She once more recovered, but only to 

 fall into convulsions a third time, and finally died 

 without giving any explanation as to the influence the 

 snake had exercised over her. In her last moments 

 she seemed to be in the greatest agony, both of body 

 and mind. 



The editor of the paper from which this tale is taken 

 vouches for the correct statement of this strange and 

 horrible fact in the following words : — 



' We know that there are many persons who doubt 

 the reality of such fascination, but if they entertain any 

 doubts on this subject hereafter, the relations of this 

 unfortunate little girl can be found, ready and willing 

 to corroborate our statement.' 



In Eastern lands, snake charming is a profession of 

 great honour and antiquity, and many surprising tales 

 have been related of their seeming willingness to listen 

 to the voice of the charmer. In the Southern States, 

 many of the negroes seem to me to possess this power 

 over the hideous reptiles ; and very few of them would 

 ever kill a snake, giving as a reason, that they should 

 have bad luck afterwards. They seem to be able to 



