Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-23
FIREPROOF INDIANS.
Picturesque Acts of Legerdemain Among the
Southern Redskins.

Mr.. John L. Sweet, who has recently been
travelling in New Mexico and Arizona,
gave an interesting and graphic sketch to
Denver Tribune reporter OF the I" HASH
kawn Dance" which he had witnessed at
one Of the Navajo agencies. ii took place
I'm large corral, or Enclosure OF an irregu-
larry circular form, about forty PAGES In d.
ameter. Its fence. about eight feet high, was
constructed Of fresh Juniper and pinon
bouyhs. In the centre was conical
pile Of dry wood, about twelve feet high
which was TO make the great central fire.
Around this. few feet from the fence, a
dozen smaller fires were burning for the
comfort and convenience OF the spectators,
who numbered about five hundred men,
women. and children. gathered here from
various parts Of the Navajo country. The
fire-dance was the most picturesque and
startling OF all. Some time before the
dancers entered ! heard strange sounds,
Mingled with the blowing Of the buflilo-
horn. The sounds were much like the
call of the saDd-hIll crane, and may. per-
haps, be properly called "trumpeting,"
and they were made by the dancers con-
staptiy during the exercises. Ibe noises
continued to grow louder and come nearer,
until we heard them at the opening In the
east, ard in moment after men having no
mole clothing on than breechclout en-
tered. Every man bore q long, ihicK bun
die Of shredded cedar bark in each hand,
except the leader, who carried four smaller
iacots OF the same material. -Four times
| they all danced round the fire, waving their
| bundles OF bark toward the flame; then
| they halted In the east: the leader
advanced toward the central fire. Ii:
-.
peling loudly, threw II over the fence
| OF the corral in the east. lie per-
| formed a similar act at The south. the west,
| and the north. hut before the northern
| brand was thrown he lii with it the ia1ots
\ Of his comrades. AS each brand disap-
| reared over the fence, some OF the specta-
| tors blew into their hands and made mo-
ton as II tossing some substance after the
departing fame. When the iagots were all
| lit the whole band begana wild race around
| the fire. AT first they kept close together,
and spat upon one another some SUD-
stance OF supposed medicinal virtue.
Soon they scattered and ran, apparent
lv without concert. the rapid racing
causing the brands 10 throw out long
brilliant steamers Of fame over the
naked hands and arms OF the dancers.
They then proceeded to apply the brands
TO their own nude bodies ard the bodies oil
their comrades in front OF tbem-no man
ever once turning around. At times the
dancer struck the victim vigorous blows
with bis flaming wand; again he seized the
iiame As II II were sponge, and, creeping
close 10 the one pursued, rubbed the Oacs
OF the latter for several moments as II NJ
were bathing him. In the mean time th'
sufferer would .atch up with some one II
front OF him. and in turn battle him II
flame. At times. when dancer found nc
one in front OF him, he proceeded V
"sp0nger his own back, and migh
keep this up while making two or three
circuits around the fire. or until he over
took some one else. Al each application o
the blaze the loud trumpeting was heard
and il often seemed rs il a flock OF hun
dred cranes were winging their way over
head southwark through the darkness. l
brand became extiaguishcd, 1t was II
again IN the central FIRE; but when IL wa
SO far consumed as 70 be no longer hell
| conveniently IN the hand, the dance
dropped It aud rushed trumpeting out
the corral. Thus. one by one, they all de
parted, and the spectators stepped into th
arena. picked up the fsscieles OF the faliel
fragments Of bark. liz them. and batbe'
their hands In the flames Ms Il charm agalns
the evil effects OF fre.
.were they not blistersd!" asked th
reporter.
They were no. hurt In the least" wp
the answer. ~ believe they were pre-
tected by q coating Of earth or ciay.painl
That, however, did not make the effect an
less strange. have beheld many firs
scenes on the stage, many acts OF 6fe-eatin
and fire-lAndling by civilized iugglers. an
rany fre.dances by other Indian tribe
but nothing quite comparable to this. ia
scenic accessories were unique. Demon
seourging lost souls with the eternal III
could scarcely be pictured 10 look MI
| AWFUL