The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-02-17

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emily approachable by an enemy, was
strongly fortified, and the space in front
pangled. Pangies are bamboo spikes,
hiaroened, sharpened and jagged, driven
INTO the ground for some distance round
every stockade, and covered over with
fallen leaves. Often they are poisoned.
They will go through the toughest sole,
and once in the foot cannot be extracted ):
and if poisoned death follows in an hour
or two. Hence they are greatly dread
ed. Several gingalls were placed, and
rude towers fanked the position. on
which were collected huge stones, or
rather rocks, ready to h11rl down upon
an invading foe. In the center of the
stockade was a long pole, and arranged
round 1t were human heads, beside those
OF gayals, buffaloes and deer while tied
tightly down to five pegs were as many
gayals, which we're forthwith slain.
Copious draughts of an intoxicating
drink made Of fermented rice were
drunk. The women then formed in a
ring, and danced round the pole to a
slow measure, twice or thrice: then
leaned down, with their heads bowed to
the ground, while amidst a perfect fury
of tom-toms and gongs the ceremony Of
flaying the slain cattle commenced. And
after another march round the pole and
a general chorus, a chief stepped to the
front and made an Grafton, which was
greatly applauded. The women danced
round hand in hand, and, opening out
into two parties, allowed the men with
the gayals' heads to enter, and closed up
the space behind them. The five heads
were placed equidistant from one another
and from the pole both men and women
stepped over them with q mincing gait.
clapping their hands and keeping time
to the rude music salaaming at the
same time to the human heads. They did
this twice; then joining hands, men in
the inner ring and women in the outer.
danced round furiously, and suddenly
broke off into small parties and while
the warriors, weary from their long and
hurried journey, retired to rest, the.
women and those who had not Joined in,
the foray cut up the gayals and pre-
pared the evening feast.
The foregoing, which is but faint de-
scription of the frightful and disgusting
scene, was not over till past noon. I
had been apparently forgotten while it
lasted. 1 lay tied to the stretcher, with
out the least shelter from the sun, ST.
lent and Mortified spectator of this
shocking spectacle. The sun had raised
busters over my face, neck and shoulders,
l was taken to the chiefs house and lib
Grated; but, being unable to move, I
was carried into q corner and there de-
posted, where 1 soon became uncon-
scious; raging fever set in, and all r re-
membered for some time was incessant
drumming, and night made hideous with
debauchery and diabolical rites and
noises; but whether it was really so
L cannot state positively, for I was
l1ght-headed many days and when I
recovered sufficiently to notice occur
rences l had lost all reckoning, and knew
neither the date of the month, nor the
day OF the week, nor the duration of nv
illness.
All this time had never heard a word
OF my husband. I knew his indom-
liable character, and was sure he would
not be satisfied with mere rumors or
surmises, but would search for me till
he ascertained beyond doubt whether T
was dead or alive, and would rescue me
or die in the attempt. I had now learned
some OF the Maya language, but did not
let any of them know of nv knowledge .
and now and then I was cheered by hear
ing them say force was advancing into
the hills; but, alas !! my exultation
was short-lived, for the commandment.
who was a very inefficient officer, al:
lowed himself to be surprised and beaten
back with severe loss and, sad to saw.
among the heads brought in by the saw
ages 1 recognized one as that of poor
young S-.who had but latelyjoinedt the
regiment, and who had been our guest
but nine months before. On another
occasion. 1 recognized two brothers. tea
planters, who had lived about twenty
miles from us, and who, it appears, had
made desperate resistance before be-
ing overpowered by numbers, and slain.
Whenever the raiders returned, how NV
heart sank with dread, for I feared to
lind among their CHASTITY trophies the
head of my dear husband.
l think the Nagas looked upon me as
a harmless idiot, for they allowed me to
wander about the stochade without him
drance and I learned that, though ap-
impregnable on three faces,
yet secret passage existed in the
north face, by which they could retreat
in case of need. Ny heart was aching
to reach my husband, especially when I
learned he was SO near; so I determined
to escape. I did not now refuse the
food set apart for me, but for week or
ten days husbanded my strength, and
ate and drank all they offered me.
Buoyed up on hope, my health greatly
improved and my strength came back
rapidly. My own scanty clothes had
worn off my back long ago, and was
now dressed like a Maya woman, with
only shirt and petticoat ; I had neither
shoes nor stockings, yet / made up my
mind to try to escape directly the nights
were sufficiently dark for that purpose
and I was further assisted by another
orgie Of the savages, who had again sur
pr1sed post and brought home more
heads, and had another heavy drink and
debauch.
While the deviltry was at its height.
myself to an all-powerful
Ruler, [ stepped into the secretipassage
and fled, not only for my life, but for
dear liberty, home and husband. I
knew enough Of Capt. B s character
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