Chapter
XXXVI.—Mode of Managing an Apparition.
And while speaking these words, fire is seen borne
through the air; but the (spectators) being horrified at the strange
apparition, (and) covering their
eyes, fling themselves speechless to earth. But the success of
the artifice is enhanced by the following contrivance. The
accomplice whom I have spoken of as being concealed, when he hears the
incantation ceasing, holding a kite or hawk enveloped with tow, sets
fire to it and releases it. The bird, however, frightened by the
flame, is borne aloft, and makes a (proportionably) quicker flight, which these deluded persons beholding, conceal themselves, as if they had seen something divine. The winged creature, however, being whirled round by the fire, is borne whithersoever chance may have it, and burns now the houses, and now the courtyards. Such is the divination of the sorcerers.