On the subject of snake charming, a wide diversity of opinion seems to exist. While it is vouched1 for by many apparently2 creditable and honest citizens, that the exhibitions of the East Indian snake charmers show that they really do possess some mysterious power over the reptiles3 to which they owe their safety in freely handling the most venomous serpents, on the other hand, persons apparently qualified5 to express an opinion, declare the whole system of snake charming to be but some clever impositions. There is said to exist a species of snake of large size, and so closely resembling the deadly cobra, as to be easily mistaken for it by ordinary observers, but which is perfectly6 harmless. May not this be used in some of these performances? Again, snakes of really poisonous species appear, on good authority, in many instances, to have been tampered7 with by the charmers by having their fangs8 removed, or by being made to strike them into cloth or other substances until the present supply of poison was exhausted9. Where this has been done, and new fangs have grown, or more poison secreted10, numerous charmers have lost their lives by their ignorance or carelessness of the fact. An officer in a French regiment11 stationed in Africa, relates that what were represented by an Arab juggler12 to be scorpions13, were actually nothing but harmless lizards14, and that the man’s feat15 of thrusting his naked hand into the bag containing them was no feat at all. Upon the officer offering to do the same act, the juggler slunk away.
Music is often referred to as a probable secret of snake charming. This may be, in a small measure, the case, as snakes appear to like music. A story is told by the Gipps Land (Australia) Guardian16, which may be entirely17 true, or, probably, founded on truth:
“We have all heard of the charms of music,” says the paper, “and many have, no doubt, been treated to stories which described its influence when brought to bear upon snakes; but we are informed of an occurrence during the past season which surpasses all that we heard before. When Mr. S—— was one day coming from Traralgon towards Rosedale, he was indulging himself in whistling a melodious18 air, while his horse was taking it easy at a walk. At no great distance in front he espied19 a good sized snake, with its head elevated about twelve inches from the ground, as if listening to the tune20 of the equestrian21. 206Upon seeing it Mr. S—— was about to dismount to arm himself with a weapon to dispatch it, but presently he bethought himself that it might be under the influence of his sweet notes, and accordingly resolved to discover. He, keeping in his saddle, continued as before, and when he neared the admiring reptile4 it set its sinuous22 form in motion, and moved along rapidly till it got a considerable way ahead of the pipes. Then it halted, and again raised the region of its intellect to sip23 in the strains of the harmony in its rear. After a repetition of this scene for several times Mr. S—— determined24 on pushing his experiment further, and for this purpose set out in a slow trot25, when, to his astonishment26, the snake went double quick, still keeping ahead of the music, and regulating its pace by Mr. S——’s pace, ‘pulled up’ whenever he pulled up. At length Mr. S—— ceased his melody, and the snake, finding that the strain was ended, wound its way off into the forest. We may as well add that the tune which is reported to have thus charmed was no other than ‘Patrick’s Day,’ whistled by a son of the sod.”
SNAKE CHARMER PERFORMING.
207The fact that many spectators of the exhibitions of the snake charmer failed to detect any deception27 does not prove that there was no deception. While the detection of imposition by others, in similar performances, would seem to argue the probable existence of it in the other cases. Even poisonous snakes can, by kindness and ample food, undoubtedly28 be rendered sufficiently29 tame to permit handling, and where charmers pretend to operate on strange serpents, it is suspected that the reptiles used are really tame ones, surreptitiously introduced beforehand into the places whence the charmer proposes to bring them forth30 by his charms. One case is recorded where a strange snake happened to be in the place so chosen; he destroyed the tame snake, and, on emerging, being mistaken by the charmer for his own snake, struck his fangs into the man when he attempted his usual jugglery31 with it, causing his speedy death.
That dexterity32 and coolness enable men who, in eastern countries, make a profession of capturing dangerous snakes, which often intrude33 into dwellings34, to capture these reptiles seems unquestionable; but the familiarities described by travelers, we believe to be attempted only with snakes which the performer has tamed and trained, or else rendered harmless, for the purpose. We will, however, give the opponents of this theory a chance to be heard, and so present a splendid account, which is given by an English officer in India, of the capture, by one of their professional snake catchers, of a cobra which had found its way into the room of a sick fellow-officer, and was discovered by the narrator on paying his friend a visit. After the alarm had been given, the usual confusion outside the door, and the various expedients35 proposed for expelling the unwelcome “squatter,” the narrative36 goes on to describe the arrival and doings of the snake catcher:
“He came, a tall, muscular native, a slip of cloth around the waist, his hair long and matted, except on the centre of his head, which was shaved close in a circle, and a turban covering it, bearing over his shoulders two baskets and a musical instrument made out of a gourd37, with a single bamboo pipe coming from its upper end, and two smaller ones from its lower, like a flute38, whilst the breath is blown through the upper and single one. Before he was allowed to enter the room he was searched, and his baskets and instruments taken from him. Nothing could have been concealed39, for his clothing was reduced to its minimum, and he carried a short iron rod.
208“He was shown a hole in which we supposed the snake to be, for the reptile had disappeared. He lay down on the floor, and placing his face close to the hole, exclaimed, ‘Burra sap; sabit babut burra.’ (Big snake, your honor, very big.) Without any more preparation, he commenced digging around the hole, and removed some of the brickwork. In a few minutes he showed the tail of the reptile, and with sundry40 incantations in Hindostanee and curious contortions41 of his body, seized hold of the tail, and gradually drew forth the snake. It proved to be a fine specimen42 of the cobra—a black, shining, wriggling43, hissing45, deadly cobra, about five feet long, at the thickest part eight inches round, with a hood46 measuring, when extended, five inches across. The reptile he handled freely, whilst it was hissing and darting47 its tongue out every second. Taking it in the yard or ‘compound,’ he released it. The brute48 wriggled49 itself toward him, and when within a foot or so reared itself up, spread out the enormous hood, and prepared itself to strike at its captor. But the charmer was not to be wounded. He seized his primitive50 instrument, and commenced very slowly to produce low and soft tones, very harmonious51, but unconnected. The snake seemed astonished; his hood gradually collapsed52, his head and about a foot of his body that was raised from the ground commenced to sway from side to side in perfect harmony with the music, and slower and quicker as the time was decreased or increased. As the man played louder, the snake got more excited, until the rapid and unusual movements had quite exhausted it, and it subsided53.
“Again the charmer seized it, and quick as lightning ran his hand up its body, holding it firmly by the throat. By pressing on its back the cobra’s mouth opened, and he disclosed the fangs, poison bags, and apparatus54 complete, thus proving beyond a doubt that it was not a trained or tame reptile he had been treating like a plaything. Doubts still arose in my mind, however, about the genuineness of the performance, for I could not bring myself to believe that a man would willingly place himself in such close proximity55 to certain death.
“A fowl56 was obtained and placed about a foot from the reptile, which was again set free. With the same movements it raised itself a foot from the ground, spread out its hood, and with a loud hiss44, apparently of satisfaction, darted57 upon and seized the fowl by the back of the neck. Hanging there for a few seconds it let go its hold, and the man at the same instant seized it, as he had formerly58 done, by the head. The fowl almost instantaneously became drowsy59, its head falling forward, and the beak60 striking with considerable force into the ground. 209The convulsive movement lasted ten seconds, and then the bird lay down as if completely comatose61 and powerless. In fifteen seconds it gave a sudden start and fell back quite dead.
“As no deception could have been practised in this instance, I was most anxious to see the reptile killed; but the charmer said he would not have it destroyed; that if it were injured the power he had over snakes would be interfered62 with, and the next one would no doubt bite and kill him. He accounted for his easy capture by saying this was a great holiday for the snakes, and that they had been enjoying themselves. ‘This one,’ said he, ‘is not living in this house. He has come from his home visiting, and has lost his way. On this account he got down a wrong hole, and I was enabled to pull him out. Nasty neighbors, and abominable63 visitors, these cobras! I will take this snake home, and feed him and make him tame.’
“However, we insisted upon having the animal made harmless, or comparatively so, and directed the man to remove the fangs. This he agreed to do, and performed it in this manner—a piece of wood was cut an inch square, and held by the charmer to the head of the snake. The reptile seized it as he had done the fowl, and with a dexterous64 twist of the hand, the most primitive performance of dentistry was accomplished65. The four fangs sticking into the wood were extracted by the roots and given to me. I have them now, and look upon them as more suicidally pleasant than a pint66 of prussic acid or a cask of white arsenic67.
“Another fowl was brought and attacked by the snake as before, but without any effect; it shook itself, rustled68 its feathers, and walked away consequentially69. It is alive still, unless some enterprising culinary agent has converted it into curry70 or devil. So it was proved beyond any doubt that an Indian snake charmer was not a humbug71 and a swindler, as many suppose, but a strong-minded, quick-eyed, active, courageous72 man. The cool determination and heroism73 of the charmer in the present instance was rewarded by the sum of two rupees (two shillings, sterling), and he left the compound with an extra snake in his basket, thankful to the preservers of his children, as he styled us, and to whom, he said, he owed his life and existence.”
The snakes used in performances at circus or “side shows” in this country are not poisonous, though their bite causes a painful wound, which it is very difficult to heal. The snakes are fed to satiety74, and the only thing necessary to constitute a “snake charmer” of this kind is the overcoming of the natural repugnance75 to these reptiles. What was exhibited as a wonderful example of affection between a child and a snake some 210years ago, was a hideous76 humbug. The story told by the exhibitors of the little girl meeting the snake, sharing her bread and milk with it, and becoming violently attached to it (which attachment77 was claimed to be returned), before the child’s parents knew of it at all, and how these strong friends refused to be parted, was a tissue of lies. The snake had been caught and tamed, and the little girl then compelled by her unnatural78 parents to fondle the repulsive79 thing, from which she instinctively80 shrunk, and these stories were started in the papers about this wonderful “love.” When curiosity had been aroused, public exhibitions were given, but we believe the enterprises proved a deserved failure, as few persons could endure to witness this outrage81 on nature, though many, doubtless, believed the story told.
THE END.
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1
vouched
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| v.保证( vouch的过去式和过去分词 )；担保；确定；确定地说 | |
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2
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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3
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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5
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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7
tampered
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| v.窜改( tamper的过去式 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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8
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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10
secreted
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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11
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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12
juggler
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| n. 变戏法者, 行骗者 | |
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13
scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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14
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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15
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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16
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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17
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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18
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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19
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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21
equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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22
sinuous
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| adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的 | |
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23
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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24
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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25
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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26
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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27
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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28
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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30
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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jugglery
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| n.杂耍，把戏 | |
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32
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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34
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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expedients
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| n.应急有效的，权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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36
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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38
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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39
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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40
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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41
contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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42
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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43
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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44
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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45
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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46
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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47
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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48
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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49
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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50
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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51
harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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52
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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53
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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54
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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55
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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56
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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57
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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58
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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59
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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60
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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61
comatose
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| adj.昏睡的，昏迷不醒的 | |
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62
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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63
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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64
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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65
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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66
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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67
arsenic
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| n.砒霜，砷；adj.砷的 | |
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68
rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
consequentially
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| adv.必然地 | |
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70
curry
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| n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革 | |
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71
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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72
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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73
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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74
satiety
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| n.饱和；(市场的)充分供应 | |
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75
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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76
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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77
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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78
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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79
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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80
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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81
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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