Presently he darted
forward, gave us each a pipe, took two pieces of red hot charcoal
from the brazier in his fingers, without seeming to know that they
were warm, and placed them in the pipes; then he recommenced his
singing and gesticulations.
"A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, he was ready to carry
the thing through, and then I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at
once that it was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but
mixed with some other substance, which was, I imagine, hasheesh, a
preparation of hemp. A few puffs, and I felt a drowsiness creeping
over me. I saw, as through a mist, the fakir swaying himself
backwards and forwards, his arms waving and his face distorted.
Another minute, and the pipe slipped from my fingers, and I fell
back insensible.
"How long I lay there I do not know. I woke with a strange and
not unpleasant sensation, and presently became conscious that the
fakir was gently pressing, with a sort of shampooing action, my
temples and head. When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and
performed the same process upon Charley. In a few minutes he rose
from his stooping position, waved his hand in token of adieu, and
walked slowly back into the temple.
"As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the same.
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