Page:Rhamon (1939).pdf/118

 "Those men are snake charmers," said his uncle. "Their fathers and grandfathers before them were snake charmers. They have a strange power over snakes. Even the most deadly one will not hurt them. And when they play their flutes the snakes must dance."

Rhamon listened and waited to see what would happen. Guests of the prince who had been walking in the garden now came over and gathered round the snake charmers to watch what they were doing.

The strange music of the flutes went on and on. Rhamon's eyes were fastened on the baskets. The music swelled and he saw the tops of the baskets slowly rise and fall to one side. A queer feeling arose in his stomach and he held tight to his uncle's hand. Then suddenly two snakes thrust their great heads out of the baskets. Slowly they uncoiled and waved back and forth. Rhamon could see their beady little eyes fixed on their masters.

As the music grew louder, one of the snakes