The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-11-24

to Scu tart. There is convent of them
there. We slipped behind the curtain, and
went up into the gallery looking down into
court. There was an altar and n
group of variously dervishcs
Some were soldiers, some boys, some
little girls in tinseEed dresses, some
were black as ebony, some tall, some small
some thin. some handsome, some hideous,
and all joined in the prayers and chants.
A few kneeled on sheepskin, while others
formed hollow square and began swaying
and singing, while the tum-tum of the tam
BOURNE and clash ofcymbals gave out the
pleasing concord of threslying machine.
When the agony was sufficient and the
steam was on with full head, the sway
ing. and bowling and barking, and swapping
and jerking of head and body, and the
.diabolism began. The song was rspetitions,
and not unmusical at intervals where
flute-ike melody, instrumental, came in as
a prelude to additional bowling. We stood
this for an hour. One man, of excellent APP
pearance, with long, glossy auburn hair and
rich voice. as it sounded out "Allah?,"
and "Mahmoud!" seemed to be the chief,
glance at one, and OF would go coat or
turban, or their high white sugar-loat hat,
and ON would go a white nightcap.
One African of the WORST aspect | ever saw
on human face, if, indeed, it was not
vizor hiding the human face, seemed to be
as 1.-the and lonesome as snake He was
six feet and more, and in his bare feet. His
comfort, till you could hardly see what form
it had. The negro minstrels, when they
mimic the excuses of the negroes South
at their revivals, are but faint copies
of the wildness of this Nubian beast, as
he twisted, snapped, clucked, barked, and
howled. We went out for fresh air, to re-
turn to see the strangest' of ceremonies.
Their chief and some. of his subordinates
were sitting cross-legged and making sacred
knots in white napkins when we re-entered.
Then prone on their faces were arrrayed
dozen children, from two months up to
twelve; and this dervish walked
over and on their bodies. Yes, on them,
each and all. would not have be-
lieved it had not seen it.. Not once, but
four times these PROSTATE lines of children
were formed, and he trod on them each and
cleared OF disease for that is the theory.
In came soldier and lay fiat. He had the
rheumatism. Along with him line
was formed, some of the same little
ones going fiat again. Over the lot
the chief travelled. The soldier got up and
kissed the dervish's hand. He took care to
place his foot on the upper part of the
tnlSn DeIhnu. ANY surgeon nay tell you
whether this is vulnerable spot. Not a
child whimpered, not a soul smiled.
could neither enjoy nor cease to wonder.
What is the solution of this seeming
physical paradox? That question asked
of gentleman learned in the custom here.
He said Ibid you observe two priests int
loose robes on each side of the lines hold
ing the chiefs arms ?'
Yes, but | did not see that they could
have rnrripI him SnfpIV over ollOWinr only
a slight touch to the children with the
priestly foot.
"That," said he, sis my solution and the
only one have. Two strong men might
do il after much practice. "-[Sunset Cox in
New York Sun.