The native American., 1838-10-27

will remain undiminished.
From the United Service Journal.
RAORDINARY SECT OF FANATICS IN IN
Ola.
Ever since have been in India have heard
of class of Mussumans, the disciples Of a sect
or saint, by name Of Shaikh Ruffa, who, in order
to impress the unbelievers with the truth of the
Mussulman faith, impaired to his followers the
power of plunging swords and daggers into their
bodies, cutting off their tongue frying it, and put
ting it together again, cutting off the head and
limbs, scooping out the eye, and, i'll truth doing
with their bodies whatsoever it pleased them to
do; all of which Colonel c., in company
with clergyman, a Mr.. b, had seen,
when the latter grew sick and ran out of the place,
declaring it was the power of Satan, which to this
day he believes, and the Colonel, that it is done
through the power of the art of magic, at which
Of course laughed, and declared that, as soon as a
man of the regiment (by name Shailkh Kureem,
one of these RufaD should return from furlough,
would witness the exhibition.
A large tent was accordingly pitched, and fifty
lamps furnished, and plates full of arsenic, and
quantities of plant of the cactus tribe filled with
a milky juice, drop of which, if it fall on your
mon glass bangles, or bracelets, worn by the wo-
men, and daggers, and swords, and things like
thick steel skewers, and other horrd looking wea-
pons like butchers steel, only with large ham
die covered with chains, and about twenty Ruffais
to beat all manner of drums; and so, when all was
ready, about five of the officers left the ta-
BILE with myself, and along with us about hundred
sepoys crowded into the tent. When we were
seated, and silence obtained, the work commenced
by sort Of chant from their sacred books, the
drum beaters joining in and keeping time; the
Chant increased at length both in noise and velo-
city, until, having worked themselves into an ex-
stacy, they seized hold of the instruments, the
! body kept in sort of swinging motion, some
plunged the skewer instruments, one through each
cheek, another through the tongue, third through
the throat, and then commenced stabbing with
swords and daggers and all sorts Of nasty instru.
ments. Others cut off their tongue, and having
roasted it in the fire, put it in their mouth again
when it Immediately united; they eat then arsenic
and the blstering milk plant, whilst the Others
munched the glass bangles as though they were
the greatest delicacies. This was all done within
half a yard of my knees, for they came up close
to me with many lamps, in order that might see
there was no deception; and do assure you that
it made me feel sick, and produced anything but an
ment know not what to think of it. am nots
persttous; and numerous most respectable natives
had declared to me that they did actually do these
things, and that if sense were to be i'll any man.
ner trusted, they had seen it all done. would,
nevertheless, not believe it. | was told, before
hand that it required faith and purity the part
of the performer and that then not a drop of blood
would follow, but that otherwise, few drops of
blood would sometimes follow the instruments,
and the performer would receive some slight inlu-
| ry.
| On taking my departure from the tent, hap
pened to say that should at all events, think
more honorably of their prowess if | saw them
exhibited in the open face of day, and divested o
noise, motion, paraphernalia, &c. On the follow
ing day, whilst reclining on my couch at about
two o'clock, reading an English newspaper, with.
out servant or soul near me, in rushed their
Kazee, (prest or judge,) his hand full of instru.
ments, which, throwing on the ground, he seized
one plunged it through his cheek on the left side
another on the right, third through his tongue
upwards, so that it stuck into his nose, another
through his throat he then stabbed himself with q
bright and sharp creese, which entered his body
about three inches; not drop of blood fell; he was
going to cut off his tongue, when begged of him
to desist. | was, in truth, perfectly nauseated al
| the sight. The man was IN state OF frenzy, and
really looked rightful. his face stuck full of in.
sruments, and stabbing and cutting himself with
all his might. / sang out for some people, and
turned him out
| have now told you what have seen, and
yet will not ask you to believe it, for | know
not myself what to think. There are many per-
sons of very strong minds in other respects who
firmly believe and who do not hesitate to declare
J,bo Jr;y of CbriS
nology, witchcraft, necromancy, and the entire
| list of black and forbidden arts and powers are
abroad in full existence in India. And must de-
clare that ! will never again trust my senses if
did not see all that have told you. | examined