The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-04-24

too. In the centre of the table there was
n cyprcss-s -snpling, como four feet in height
planted in the centre Of n hrkin or kcg
Immediately behind the cypress, and tow.
cring above it, was black doll with a
dress vnricgated by cabalistic signs and
cmblcms, and necklace Of the ycrterbrn
of snakes around her neck, from which
depended IN alligator'S fang cnchased in
silver.
At the side of this !table recognized
an old negro by the name of ZOzo, well
known in New Orleans rs vendcr of
palmetto and sassafrus roots; in fact, he
had whole pharmacopGia of simplcs
and herbs, some salutary, but others said
to DC fatal.
He seemed to be the coryphcus of these
unlialiowed rites, for the signal of the
beginning of the work came from him.
He was astride on n cylinder made of
thin cyprcss-staves hooped with brass and
headed by sheepskin. With two sticks
he droned AWAY monotonous ra-ra-ta,
ra-ra-ta-ta, while on his left sat negro
ON low stool, who, with two shecp-shank
bones, and ncgrcSs with the leg-boncs Of
buzzard or turkey, beat an accompani-
ment on the sides Of the cylinder. Ii
was queer second to this satanic discord.
Some two feet from these arch-muSicians
squattcd n young negro vigorously twirl-
ing long calabash. 1t was made of one
of our Louisiana gourds foot and n hall
long, and filled with pebbles.
at n given signal the four initiates
formed crescent before Dcde, who was
evidently the high-priestess or Voudou
queen. She made cabalistic signs over
them, and sprinklcd them vigorously with
some liquid from calabash in her hand,
muttering under her breath. 49,
She raised her hand, and Zozo dis
mounted from his cylinder, and from
some hidden receptacle in or behind the
largc black doll drew an immense snake,
which he brandishcd wildly aloft. can
not at this distance of time recall to what
species the serpent belonged; only re-
member its vivid colors, showing like
glistening red and black lozcnges in the
lurid, waning light of pyrc aud sconcc.
This snake Zozo handled with the mas
terry of Psylli, those charmers of kerpeuts
ON the burning sands of the African Syr-
tis, Of whom Pliny tells us. lie talked
and whispered to it. At every word the
reptile. with undulating body and LAM
bent tongue, seemed to- acknowledge the
dominion asserted over it.. In the mean.
time, with arms crossed aud rcvcrent eyes,
tho initiates have now formed crescent
around Zozo. lie now compelled the
snake to stand upright for about ten
inches Of its body, and, like the deadly
Naia which figures ns hcad-piece Il.
Egyptian Isis, its head was horizontally
laid. In that position Zozo passed the
snake over the heads and around the nccks
Of the initiates, repeating ut each pass the
words which constitute the name of this
African sect. "Youdou Magnian."
Hardly was this last ceremony over
when n long, deep howl of exultation
broke from every part of the shed. ZoZ0
bnck TO his tam-tam, his accompanies
right and left, and the gourd-musician
with his rattle. A banjo-playcr, too,
sprang up, and pandemonium was un-
looscd.
In the twinkling of an eye, on little
brick foundations, boards were hid for II
supper table. The very oldest and ugli-
est Of the tribes Of Congos, Minas, Gan-
gas, and Hibous, seemed to have been
delegated to prepare and attend, as at the
Elcusinian mysterics-Ccres and BacclIus,
meat md winc-the feast of the initiates.
No benches, no seats Of any kind. Some
squattcd on their rhaunches, othcrsrcclined,
like the Romans, on their friehind when
at feast. And such feast it was
Everything accessible that clcaves the
air, that moves in tho water, and that
dwclls on the earth, seemed to have been
impressed for the occasion. Before each
guest was waX-tapcr or n sperm candle
stuck In round dab Of clay for cnn-
lIe-stick. No tunblcrs, but before each
guest baked clay vase, much like the
aniphora of the ancicnts. 4 vase with ca.
pacious and rounded belly, and Il smnlI
spout, out Of which the Tcvelers drank
wine or tGfa (sugar- -cano runr). Whisky
had not then como from "Kaintuckr TO
civiIizc Louisiana into tho higher perfcc-
tiOnI Of tho "drunk." Tho roycIcrs
gorgGd, and smiled, until, in the words
Of Iivy, "YinO CibOquc grarn.i." They
were reused from their bac cchanaIia by The
long, fierce call Of Zoz0's tam-tam. The
old women removed tho boards, swept
away the debris of the feast, and left the
space of about forty feet open for the
dance.
As tho guests stood on the floor "a hard
ened surfncc of brick-dusD, ZozO, leaving
his tam-tam, went up TO the altar-I have
no other name Of the place of fctich-wor-
ship~-and ngain drew forth the snake.
lie forced II TO writhe md wrigglc over
and around the company, uttcring the two
words which were repeated by sixty
voices, "Youdou, voudou, Magnian." lie
then Mirlcd the snake around his head
and dcxtcrously cast It in tho blazing
pile. Such yell rs arosc no words can
describe. The rude instruments took up
their discord mixed with yclls. The cllo.
rus Of Dnnio's hell entered into tho mad
shouts Of Ajona. Then came general
call for tho dance, and no dance of tho
witches In the Ilnrtsbcrg ever came up to
it. Up sprnng magnificent specimen OF
human dcsh-Aiona, q 1.-the, tail black
woman, with body wnving mud unduat.
ing like Hozo's snakc--R perfect Srrnira.
mis- from tho jrnglcs Of Africa. Coniln.
Ing horsclf TO- o spot not moro thRn two
feet In sp1cc, she began to sway on ono
and tho other side. Gradually tho uhdu
hitting motion was impaired 10 her body
from tho ankles To tho hips. Then sht
tore the white kcrchief from her forehead
This wns n signal, for tho whole company
sprang forward and entered the dance.
Tho beat Of tho drum, tho thrum Of TN
banjo, swellcd louder and louder. Undc
A a.