Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-25

payed with red tiles, surrounded By
columns supporting horseshoe shaped
srcbes, which, in turn, upheld an upper
gallery, the pillars Of which were con-
pected by . stone balustrade breast
bjeb. On this occasion the tiles were
covered ty mating, over which was
spread q Persian carpet. In the centre
stood low table, on which tall can
die burnt; and on it also we're an urn
filed with burning Goals, a naked
sword, spear, and the leaf Of .
prickly.pear. In an apartment look
ing on the court some venerable
chiefs, in turbans and snowy bur-
nous - grave, dignifed, silent - sat
cross.legged on low couches. In the
court, seated in like manner and form
ing a semi. circle round the table, with
its solitary light and grim weapons,
we're about twenty men, serene-eysd
and mostly white. bearded. In the gall
lery above yelled Moorish women look
I'd down upon the scope. On a rope
suspended from tho columns sTung an
oil-lamp. The courtyard was crowd
ed with daik.faced Arabs and Kabyles,
who presented in the half-ligh. pic
ture 10 words can paint.
At sign from the master Of the
ceremonies, who xss seated in the semi
circle, those surrounding him began to
! beat f0mbourS, the sound Of which fell
in rhythmic measure. To this was
presently added monotonous ch1n.,
rising and falling with equal cadence.
Occasionally and suddenly there broke
from the women above a wild cry,
having nothing plaintive and little hui
man inits tones, appealing liketb notes
Of trapped bird, uncanny as laugh
ter heard in sleep, the while an Arab
boy, seated by the urn, flung incense
from time to time into the burning
Goals until a heavy, fragrant smoke
filed the air. When the beating OF
the tamJours had continued for about
fifteen minutes an old man sprang from
among the spectators into the semi
circle, with all the gestures of ma
niac-jumpiDg into the air, flinging his
hands wildly about, and .swaying his
head to and fro in a manner that would
have seemed grotesque had it been less
painful to witness. BY degrees and
with some difficulty an attendant re-
moved bis turban, scarf, and short
Jacket. The tGmbOUrs now beat more
violently, the chant became more yigo-
rous, and the incense heavier than be-
fore. The old mans face was deathlv
pale, his eyes were glazed and fixed,
his scattered gray hairs stood up a. if
from fright. His frantic movements
gradually increased, and, when he had
arrived at the crisis of his frenzy, the
sword lying on the table was passed to
the chiefs, who, blessing it, handed it
back. The master of ceremonies then
presented it to the fanatic, who, seizing
it with frantic cry and waving i.seye.
raj times over bis head. plunged (or
seemed to plungel it into his neck. Tba
blade would not penetrate. Placing
tie handle Of the sword acsin,t the
shoulder Of one near him. ho leaned On
the pcint. but with like effect. Hlyiag
bsred his wais. he then caught tho
swoId at hilt and point and struck rs
body With the edge Of the blade seys-
raj times, bowling and ges:icuInting
the while, but the skin seemed min
iured. He next struck the poin: upon
his side, hut no traces Of blood we're
visible. Finally, h; placed one foot
upon the burning Goals, holding j., there
for couple Of minutes and then re-
moving it apparently without injury.
After this his gestures became more
frantic; he howled and jumped into
the air, until be suddenly fell back
into the arms Of two men.
Meanwhile two young men had, with
piercing cries, jumped into tho circle,
ard, each with his arm around the
others waist, swayed their heads back
ward and forward, gently q. first, but
with eyer-increasiug violence, until
their chins touched their chests aud the
backs Of their heads toucbod their
backs. Their strong frames trembled
in every limb, their dark faces became
distorted. Nothing more terrible can
be imagined than the appearance they
presented. In due time one was given
red-bot shovel, which he received with
frantic yells and gestures Of delight,
rubbed ais fingers on it repeatedly, and
licked it again and again, Growing after
each act with savage glee. The other
was then presented with spear, which
he suddenly stuck into one eve, but
with no apparent injury or pain. He
then took the spear, and, resting it
against his stomach, struck the handle
with 3 large stone; but, though the
stone broke, the spear never penetrated
beyond the skin. Presently these men fell
down exhausted. Others in tho course
Of the evening came forward in like
manner. In the midst of his contor-
ticns one of them took a live scorpion,
held it between his teeth, and then ate
it with apparent relish. lie likewise
took a mouthful of the prickly.pear
and chewed il, but no blood came from
bis mouth. This man and another who
performed the same feat rOared like
beasts, and, in taking mouthfGls of the
prickly pear, thrust forward their
heads 6Dd snapped Mt it i1vicld OF
using their hands, which were Tree to
convey it to their mouths. Later on
two others took long, sharp needles,
and, having heated them in the flame Of
the candle, stuck them in their tongues
and cheeks.
The actions | have mentioned were
repeated by others, tho spectators sit
ting TRANQUILITY by-those in the semi
circle beating their tam5oUrS and chant
ing necessarily, the Arab boy burning
incense, the women crying shrilly from
above. Each of those taking part in
the spectacle sprang suddenly from the
ground, where he had been sitting ST.
lently; each used the same gestures,
and, having performed his part, sank
helplessly to the ground. A few min
utes served to restore them to their
usual composed demeanor they calm
ly took their places among the specta.
tors, to all seeming neither injured nor
fatigued. BY the permission of an