A NECROMANCER IN MOROCCO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5739, 5 December 1896, Page 2

A NECROMANCER IN MOROCCO.

(Globe.) The black art, now so nearly forgotten in civilised Europe, is not extinct in Morocco, though rarely practiced in public, and yet more rarely in the presence of Europeans. An invitation, therefore, from an old friend to be present at what may be termed a dark seance was eagerly accepted by the writer. The party assembled one night, about 10 o'clock, in a little building situated in the grounds of a house isolated from other dwellings, and standing on the very verge of a cliff some fifty feet high, the masonry on the eastern side being flush with the cliff face. The room in which the mysteries were to be performed wa3 entered from • a courtyard, and was prettily decorated in true Moorish style. It contained no furniture, but rich carpets and luxurious manypillowed divans, which lined the walls. Thin curtains partially veiled the two windows, one at either end of the apartment. The persons present were two young Sherifs of exalted lineage, attended by two secretaries and a freed slave ; the hostess, an English lady, with her sister and two guests, also English; and the necromancer, who was unattended. The first precaution taken was to lock the courtyard door. Then the window bolts were securely fastened on the inside of the room, of which the single door was also locked, and the key handed to the eldest of the two Sherifs, who at once concealed it among his garments. On either side of the window at the east end of the long, narrow room were seated THE HOSTS AND THEIR GUESTS, a clear space being left beneath the window itself, and at the opposite end crouched the secretaries and the negro. The necro- j mancer, a fine, athletic-looking man, very dark, but not of the negro type, and dressed in theflowing native garb, squatted cross-legged on the divan between the two groups. Before him was placed a •silver chafing-dish full of .lire embers, and 'two massive candlesticks containing large i wax candles, which afforded the only light, a hanging lantern suspended from the ceiling not being -lit. After informing those present that when the lights were extinguished absolute silence must be preserved, the necromancer wrote various cabalistic signs on a number of small squares of paper, and, folding them neatly, handed one, with a little pinch of salt, to each individual, requesting that both should be carefully held, as a safeguard, during the seance. An additional paper, of rather larger dimensions, was given to the only Englishman present, as he was destined, it afterwards appeared, lo take an active part in. the performance. The necromancer then proceeded to throw various gums, incense and aromatic herbs on the fire in the chafing-dish, until the air was thick with the familiar vapour held so pleasant by the natives of Morocco. Other written •charms were passed through this smoke, and one or two were burned to ashes with MUTTERING INCANTATIONS AND PRATERS. The necromancer now ceased to take notice of anyone present. With hands clasped before him and eyes fixed, he appeared to sink into a fit of abstraction. Shudders shook his body from time to time, and his hands trembled. The trembling increased in violence till his whole body, appeared to quiver. At length, at a sign, the attendant slave blew out the lights, but, after a few moments' pause, the necromancer was heard to desire them relighted — some formula had been omitted. More incantations, intermingled with heavy sighs, followed, and again the lights were extinguished, and the room was in utter darkness. This time the somewhat oppressive silence which followed did not last long, for, after a lapse of a few moments, there was a rush of cooler air, a noisy clatter, and a hoarse yell as a " thing " dropped from the east window and alighted on the divan, close by the writer, who distinctly :elt a touch liko that of some small creature as it-rushed past. There was no rustle of garments or indication of the presence of a human being. The "Jin," still yelling hoarsely, rampaged about the room for a moment, touching no one. Dull, rapid thuds resounded from ceiling and walls, and then he— for it was a male "Jin" — took up a position in the centre of the room, where THE NECROMANCER was seated, and began abusing him in no measured terms. "Who was he — miserable mortal — to summon one of the greatest of the genii from the hot fire, his dwelling-place, and from the bosom of his family, from his wife and children ? "Who was he that, with incomplete incantations and prayers, had ventured on such a mighty feat ? Punishment, nay death, should be his doom unless he could instantly exonerate himself." The trembling accents of the necromancer were heard in reply, pleading that he had done all in order as he supposed, and imploring forgiveness if he had neglected to otter all the incense required, or if his prayers had been inadequate. The "thing" I'aced pattering down the room to the elder Sherif, while the noisy knoclrings were repeated, and, appearing to crouch at his feet, reiterated breathlessly his complaints, then, without waiting for a reply, clattered along the Avail overhead back to the necroniancei", whom he at once proceeded to DRAG TO HIS DOOM. "There was a fearful tussle, a crash as of metal, groans and snarling replies, a violent banging of doors and then silence. This was broken presently by the return of the " Jin," who clattered down the wall over, the Englishman's head, coming, apparently, from nowhere, and, with the orthodox salutation of " Peace be with you " to the elder Sherif, punctiliously returned ■with " And unto yon be peace," the " Jin " addressed him fs a commander of the Faithful, to whom he declared he offered allegiance, as in duty bound, and adjured him to declare whether in truth it was on his, the Sherif 's behalf that the necromancer had summoned him, as the doomed man protested. In such case, said the " Jin," and on the Sherifs intercession, the necromancer's life should be spared. The Sherif replied that it was indeed at his request that the " Jin " had been called to appear, and further, that he desired the necromancer should be brought back at once and unharmed. After a long speech, hoarsely vociferated by the " Jin," he rattled away— this time apparently through the ceiling — and soon A LOUD CRASH AT THE COURTYARD GATE, clawings and scratchings at the room door — which seemed to burst open with a clang — a sound as of falling chains, then the loud banging of re-closing doors, announced the return of the victim. . In fact, the necromancer was immediately heard begging for a light, and when a candle was lit he was seen seated at his place, but much exhausted. His pouch, a heavy leathern bag full of oddments, was found tangled near the Englishman's feet, the latter avowing that he distinctly felt it catch and drop during one of the "Jin's" wild gyrations. Near the door tho heavy candlesticks were lying in confusion on the floor, the hanging lantern in the centre of the ceiling was still swaying to and fro, but the only traces of the "Jin" were the imprints as of tiny feet on the soft mattress beneath the east window, where the " thing " first alighted. After a little rest, and an inquiry whether a further demonstration was required;- it was decided that the visit of. a gentler spirit would be more agreeable. < •i" ■■■'■--■ . ' New forms of incantation and incense if ere broiight^jnto^jjl^yj^g^j^^j^gaj^

ticular, Tjeing burnt, and, after one false alarm, the ".tin's" wive came into the darkened room. This spirit was quiet, though inclined to complain of the treatment her husband had received. She moved about freely, and even touched one of the party, laying a tiny hand on his. Before invoking this " Jin," the necromancer had announced that those who pleased might ask her any questions they chose, first, however, placing in their mouths a grain of salt. Accordingly, sevoral inquiries were made of her by the Englishman on subjects of which those present were quite ignorant. Announcing: that she would seek replies, the "Jin" made her. exit by the ceiling — at least so our hearing led us to suppose. The replies were brought by her husband, the first "Jin," now in more amicable mood. He answered all who spoke to him, pattering along the carpet and placing himself directly in front of each speaker in turn. When required by the elder Sherif, he gave his name as " Maiinou " (The Trustworthy), and again repeated his vows of fealty, and finally impressed on all the importance and absolute necessity of ( CONSTANT AND DEVOUT PRAYER. On being asked a question regarding the future by our hostess — who sat next the writer — he gave an oracular reply, and then blessed herself, her family, and surroundings, placing, fis he spoke, two hands on her head, then, with the words "I am above you," the " Jin " seemed to rise in the air, loud knockings were heard iv every direction, rapid footsteps seemed to rush along the ceiling, and the "Jin" was I gone. Candles were lit at once, and showed the party all seated undisturbed in their places, except one of the secretaries, who, terrorstricken by the strange visitor, lay in a heap in hia place, with tho hood of his garment pulled over his head. On being shaken up he emerged, declaring lie had never felt the least alarm