Many have read of, but few have seen, the much-vaunted feats of the Hindoo Fakirs. The spectator is transported to the centre of a square in India, where he sees a group of Euro- pean tourists enjoying the performance of the two Eastern Magicians. While one beats the tom-tom the other places a mango seed in a small quantity of loose earth, and covers it with an empty cloth. Slowly the cloth is forced upward by some power beneath, and on reach- ing its full height is snatched away by the con- jurer. A mango plant...is disclosed, which a Hindoo boy carries away. The two jugglers now lake a large basket, and having shown it empty, place the boy within, closing the lid. To the great horror of the spectators one of the conjurers now takes a sword and stabs through and through the wicker work in every direction. Marvellous, however, to relate, though the basket is surrounded by watchers, and is raised some feet above the ground, on the lid being raised it is found perfectly empty. Taking the cloth, the juggler throws it over the basket, when the form of the boy is seen to develop beneath. The cloth is thrown off, and the apparently murdered youngster jumps down alive and well.

Source: Catalogue of Paul's Animatographs & Films - 1901