The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-17

eVergreens that formed three sides Of the enclosure.
 The jig was opened by Pou-ni ka- ma-t ia ("Medicine Elk"), he of the antlered head, who led the chorus in single file round and round the cir conference of circle, that had for it's centre the bowed form of the unfortu- nate paralytic; and all chanted in staccatO measure song or incanta- tion, whose every sentence terminated by peculiar, jerky emphasis or in- fiection upon the hnal word.
 In due time this incarnation was re- placed by second, shriller, higher, of different emphasis, and of wilder and more rapid movement, to which time was kept by the stamping of feet and occasional beating of breasts or slap ping of thighs with closed fists. This in turn gave way to another song that embodied still more forcibly the pecu- liarities of that immediately preced- ing.
 During all this, running accom- paniment was kept up by means of bells, rattles and drums, presided over by the assistants, who chorused their superiors with cries and limitations of owls, wolves and other savage crea- lures, and also busted themselves in instituting foul odors and stenches by burning gunpowder, bits of skin, punches of hair, powdered bones, fish entrails and various animal products. No sare spirit, Pm sure, either of good or evil, would have dared venture within league of the spot!
 Hour after hour, turn and turn about in regular succession and order, the incantations and accompaniments rolled forth monotonously, with only an occasional and brief pause to test the efficacy of the "medicine," when the wizards, facing inward with out stretched arms and "medicine bags" pointed at the "bewitched," chorused stern order to the demon of the dis order to-"Begone
 At the conclusion of the third or fourth abjuration, and in response to query propounded by Pou- ni- kahn ta, the poor paralytic affirmed that he could detect the "medicine" in his arm, which had prickling sensation extending from the hand halfway to the elbow, AS if the part was slowly "waking from long sleep"
 Along in the "wee sma'" hours of the morning, when the conjuring crew had worked themselves into frenzy that was absolutely demoniacal in in- tensity, and all, even some of the spec tators, were shouting, screeching, gal loping and walloping about, as if pos sessed of those "whose name was le- gion," the invalid suddenly sprang to his feet with blood -curdling yell, and fell to dancing and capering wig orously and energetically to music of his own improvising, remarkable for anything rather than harmony or rhythm.
 The arm that had so long hung use- less at his side was lifted on high, and whirled about his head like the sails of windmill gone mad.
 His jerky, ridiculous movements re- minded me of an extreme case of St. Vitus' dance, and might have excited merriment were it not also pitiful in the extreme; but evidently this was regarded as quite a matter of course, for no one evinced the least surprise, or offered in any way to in- terfere.
 The conjurers now redoubled their efforts, shrieking, bowling and stamp ing to the fiendish uproar of bells, rat ties and drums, till was fain to clap fingers to ears to shut out some DOT tion of the frightful, deafening sound. It was, in truth, "Pandemonium turned loose!"
 Finally, the poor fellow, exhausted by the violence of his exertions, and foaming at the lips, fell writhing and senseless to the ground. The assem- blaze now dispersed and the victim was borne to his lodge by friends, and there left alone to recover or not, as the case might be.
 He was now medicine" and hence an object of superstitious fear and awe, to watch beside or to meddle with whom might be attended with dire penalties to all concerned the demon might, in revenge, bounce upon some one of their number!
 AHo AolioWlHS alterHOOn VlSlteu the conjured individual, and found him seated at the entrance of his dwelling in full enjoyment of pipe
 He assured me, and I believe hon. estly and truthfully, he had no re- membrance of the events of the night before subsequent to the moment when he announced the partial return of sensation to the maimed member,- and even this was hazy and indistinct, like some halt-forgotten dream,-un- til he awoke near midday to find him. self lying on the skins within his wig wam.
 After careful and critical ex- animation. I was forced to ac-