Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

MOONSHIE AND SNAKE-CATCHER. 61

per which could not contain, he thought, the
least of this class of reptiles, he felt certain there
could not now be any deception.

" The samp-wallah and his assistant, pre-
tending to search every hole and crevice of the
compound, seemed busy and anxious in their
employment, which occupied them for a long
time without success. Tired at last with the
labour, the men sat down on the ground to
rest; the pipe was resorted to, with which
they pretend to attract the snake; this was
however sounded again and again without the
desired effect.

" From the apparent impossibility of any
cheat being practised on him, the Moonshie
rather relaxed in his strict observance of the
men: he had turned his back but for an in-
stant only, when the two fellows burst out in
an ecstasy of delight, exclaiming, ' They are
come! they are come!'—and on the Moonshie
turning quickly round, he was not a little
staggered to find three small snakes on the
ground, at no great distance from the men,
who, he was convinced, had not moved from