Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-15

ton and bodily vigor Of the subject; for 4.
we're never let down until they had tainted r, E
exhaustion. and ere y erternat appearance Of 81
iyting life had entirely vanished. They w.,
then gradually lowered to the ground. and Is
10 rise when they could rise by themseh e. vi.
out the aid Of any one When they were a.
10 do this, they advanced to another part Of 4,
loJae. where they sacrificed one, t"o Or In.
fingers by laying them on tine skull of buflO,
head, when thew were struck IN .by harcas,
After these nsactions within he lodge a.
completed, they are lrdout in front OF the loi..
with al! their weights dragging after them, "hyp
in the circular area. 10 presence OF The whO,
village, who are here assembled. a scene lake
place of ,.iIl more appalling nature, and, Il
the suffsr prs still more circulating than The O..
inst described Around their emblem OF d.
ark an hundred or more young men, make
holding each other BY the hand, their b"tia.
painted in all varieties of colours and Caro-.
forms. commence rotatory movement with teI
greatest velocity possible. uniting their voices
the most piercing yells at lamentations 0aI
side of this circle are led the bleeding penlsa.
each one With an athletic man on each Side II
him, who take them by q iearhern thong TASTE,
ed around the wrist, and commence rUnas
around the circles with all speed that is pos,a
and violently urge them forward, until. fO,I
weakness aud exhaustion, they begin to fate
and at length sink down into the dirt, where The
are still dragged until all appearance Of lfr n
gone, and until all the articles attached 10 Tie,
wounds have torn out aud been left; to eftc
which it 10 often necessary Tor several Of ,h-r
to Jump on them with the whole weight Of ,hsr
bodies.
They are thenIeh, apparently in lilcless en-.
tlitiun, until they can rise of themselves and
walk away. Whilst lying in this position, m.ry
fine presents of robes. guns. horses. &C. a.,
brought and placed by them, which their ,g4sp,
come and carry to their lodge
Here ends this cruel and barbarous cercwon,,
which, IN frequent in stances. they have not bad
lv strength to survive, and die IN the operating.
MANY, however, submit Ia these tortures eye,
year, for the greater part Of their lives. aud then
limb, appear completely manslcd and di.6surt
by scars.
l. is impossible to describe the feelings unel,.
whilst witnessing scene of this kind-,o Lo.A
about hin aud realize that a scene 81 much is.
a dream is rrality-that men of stately tCiT
with wisdom in their looks. should be acting y
stupid a tragedy in all the 'ervOr OF ear0esi d,
votion-aud that such has been the una,er,t
form which each revolving year. tor cpn,une
past. has brought about, whilst tie rapid maC
and Frightening intellect Of civilized InpfU,
mpnt have illum,ned the world. vet lent them no
a spark. nor, with all their knowledge and I'm
provements, dreamed of what is done and dom
in thi, Wrslern World.
have made four paintings which will embr,c
the ~hoie Ot these scenes, and intend to put
Ilsh them 10 the world with the certificates Of tb
two gentlemen who were with me, "fhaf I har
morning ertenuated nor aught set doum in ma
lice The strange and interesting traditions O
these people with regard to their origin. &c. 40
their reason. and arguments for observing this ii
DUAL ceremony in al its forms and crurlties, vi
be subject for future epistle.
Adieu, yours, 81.
GEO. CATLIN.