The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-05-14
BLOOD D-CURDLING RITES.
THE TERRIBLE DEVOTIONAL ACTS OF DAN
CING DERyIsHEs.

Core Spondence Of the Chicago Tribune.
ALGIEKs, Africa, Jan. Is, 1S75.-A short
time since we received information from
our dragoman that there was to be a per-
formance by the Dervishes in Algers. We
were upon the point of leaving forTunis and
Carthage, but decided to remain specially
to see the performance. Our route lay UP
through the old Moorish city, up the mar
row streets of stairs, winding through the
crooked byways of old Algicrs to the crest
of the Sahel Hill, where, in the shade of
the towering but crumbling walls of the
Kasba (the ancient citadel of the Deys),
our path ended in front Of a white wall and
heavy oaiten door, well studded with iron
bolts. There was a small square hole near
the top, barred like prison window The
hoarse cry of our Arab guide was answered
by the appearance of eight long fingers
clinging to the bottom Of the window. and
soon a wild face was drawn up full. in the
moonlight which vas streaming over our
shoulders. Our guide drew near, and after
exchanging few words in Arabic, the
bolts were drawn, the door swung open,
and we passed inside.
We found ourselves in a narrow hall,
which, turning first to the right, and then
to the left, brought us into an open court,
with stone pillars all around it, supporting
a balcony above. The opposite end behind
the pillars was covered with mats, which
were also strewn across one end of the open
place in the centre. Some Arabs were
scattered about on the mats, all engaged in
prayer. In the centre of the court a dim
candle struggled against the gloon about
it, while n small brazier of live Goals, with
queer little checkered box keeping iJ
| company, stood near the candle
TAMBoURINE OVERTURE.
Other Arabs came in by ones and twos
all stopping at the entrance to take off their
slippers, carrying them i'll their hands to the
seats. A portion of them, before seating
themselves, went around and saluted those
who had arrived before them, either by
! kissing on the forehead or throwing kisses
at them. The old patriarchs, who seemed
to be seated exclusively behind the pillars
in the end of the court, received the most
attention in this respect.
Strewn on the mats near the brazier
were dozen or more of what looked like
cheese box lids with raw-hide heads, and
snares on the inside. Presently some of
the Arabs began tuning these by first warm
ing tnem over the brazier and then playing
on them like tambourines. This compile
ted, very tall fellow, with very wild eyes,
and very long rnoustachc, took his place
in the centre Of the mats and, following
his guidance, dozen or more took up the
tambours and began playing on them. The
overture lasted about ten minutes; COM
mencing very slowly and gradually quick
ening, until, before they ceased, they SEEM
ed to have worked themselves into frcn-
zy; their wild eyes glared fiercely, their
breathing became quick, their bodies sway
ed violently, and their arms and heads flew
about with wonderful rapidity; meanwhile
they were continually exchanging tambours
by throwing them at each other some
times from one side Of the court to the
other. Toward the close there was a low
rumbling around the place, as Of growing
storm; but at last they ceased witt, a grand
flourish, leaving the players very much ex
hausted, and everybody very much excited,
ourselves included.
Then there was pause for a few min
utes, during which they all sat as motion
less as statues, and apparently deeply i'm
mersed in thought. The leader with tho