The snake rose until its head towered above that of the girl, and then began to twine itself round her, continuously rising from the ground until it enveloped her with five coils, each thicker than a man's arm.

It raised its head above hers and hissed loudly and angrily; then its tail began to descend, gradually the coils unwound themselves; lower and lower it descended until it disappeared altogether.
It was some time before anyone spoke, so great was the feeling of wonder.

The Doctor was the first to break the silence.
"I have never seen that before," he said, "though I have heard of it from a native Rajah." "Would the sahibs like to see more ?" the juggler asked.
The two Miss Hunters, Mrs.Rintoul, and several of the others said they had seen enough, but among the men there was expressed a general wish to see another feat.
"I would not have missed this for anything," the Doctor said.

"It would be simple madness to throw away such a chance." The ladies, therefore, with the exception of Mrs.Hunter, Mrs.Doolan, and Isobel, retired into the house.
"You must all go on one side now," the juggler said, "for it is only on one side what I am now going to do can be seen." He then proceeded to light a fire of charcoal.

When he had done this, he said, "The lights must now be extinguished and the curtains drawn, so that the light will not stream out from the house." As soon as this was done he poured a powder over the fire, and by its faint light the cloud of white smoke could be seen.
"Now I will show you the past," he said.