Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-06-20
RAIN MADE TO ORDER.
THE MARVELLOUS TALE OF A MODERN
MuNcHAusEN.

author OF which, processing 10 write III
all seriousness, gravely declares that the
rainmakers of Africa really do make rain
But he is not content with argument,
He supports his contention by the follow
ing marvellous story of what he declares
he himself witnessed on the west coast
of Africa:
remember well my first experience OF
these wizards. For weeks and weeks
there had been no rain, although it was
the rainy season. The mealies were all
dying for want Of water; the cattle were
being slaughtered in ell directions
women and children had died by scores,
and the fighting men were beginning to
do the same, being themselves scarcely
more than skeletons. Day after day the
sun glared down on the parched earth,
without one intervening cloud, like a
globe of glowing copper, and all nature
languished in that awful furnace.
Suddenly the king ordered the great
war drum to be beaten, and the warriors
all gathered hurriedly. He announced
the arrival Of two celebrated rainmakers,
who would forthwith proceed TO relieve
the prevailing distress. The elder Of the
two was stunted, bow legged little man,
with wool which would have been white
had it not been messed up with grease,
filth, and feathers. The second was rather
a fine specimen Of the Soosoo race, but
with very sinister expression.
A large ring being formed by thesquat-
ting negroes, who came-for some un-
known reason--all armed to the teeth,
the king being in the center, and the rain
makers in front of him, they commenced
their incantations. The zenith and the
horizon were eagerly examined from time
to time, but not vestige of a cloud ap-
peared. Presently the elder man rolled
on the ground in commissions, apparently
epileptic, and his comrade started TO his
feet pointing with both hands to the
copper colored sky.
ALI eyes followed his gesture, and looked
at the spot to which his hands pointed,
but nothing was visible. Motionless as a
stone statue he stood with gaze riveted
on the sky. In about the space of a
minute darker shade was observable
In the copper tint, in another minute il
grew darker and darker, and in few
more seconds developed into black cloud
which soon overspread the heavens.
In moment vivid fash was seen,
and the deluge that fell from that cloud,
which had now spread completely over
head, was something TO be remembered.
For two days and nights that torrent
poured down and seemed as if it would
wash everything out of the ground.
After the king had dismissed the rain
makers, and they had deposited the cat
tie and presents under guard, entered
the hut in which they were lodged and
spent the night with them, discussing the
magical art
The hut was about IA feet in diameter,
strongly built of posts driven firmly into
the ground and having strong thatched
conical roof. / eventually persuaded
them to give me one or two examples of
their skill. They began singing, or rather
grooming, long Invocation, after few
minutes of which the younger man APP
peared to rise in the air about three feet
from the ground and remain there un-
suspended and floating about.
There was brilliant light in the hut
from large fire in the center, so that the
smallest detail could be distinctly OBJ
served. / got up and went to feel the
man In the air, and there was no doubt
about his leyitation. He then foated
close to the wall and passed through it t.
the. outside.
When ] reentered the hut there was
only the old man present. I examined
the logs carefully, but there was no aper
ture whatever. The old man continued
his chant. and In another moment his
comrade reappeared floating in the air
He sat down on the ground, and saw
bis black skin glistening with rain, and
the few rags he wore were as wet as If he
had been dipped in river.
The next feat was performed by the
old man, and consisted in several in
Simultaneous disappearances and reappear-
ances. The curious point about this was
that the old man also was dripping wet.
Almost impressive feat, which they on
q subsequent occasion performed was the
old custom Of the priests of Baal.
Commencing Iugsabrious chant, they
slowly began circling around the fire
(which said fire always is an essential
part Of the proceedings), keeping a GER
tain amount OF rhythm in both their
movements and cadences. Presently the
movement grew faster and faster, till
they whirled round like dancing derv-
ishes. There were two distinct move
nents; all the time during which they
were gyrating round the circle they were
rapidly spinning on their own axes.
With the rapidity OF their evoIutions
their voices were raised higher and higher
until the din was terrific. Then by q ST.
mulfaneous movement each began slash
ing his naked body On arms, chest, and
thigh until they were streaming with
blood and covered with deep eashes.
Then the old man stopped his erratic
oourse, and, sitting down on the ground.
natpowly watched the younger one with
apparent solicitude. The young man con-
tfnued his frantic exerfions until ex-
hausted nature could bear no more, and
he fell painting and helpless on the
ground.
The old man took both the knives, and
nnointed the blades with some evil smell
ing grease from ca1abash. and then
stroked tire y0tng mans body all over
with the blade which had dome the In
jaEies, ard finished fhe operation by
rubbing him vigorously with the palms
U the hauds sznoafed with the unguent.
In few minutes' time the young man
arose. ard there was not the slightest
trace of wound q scax n his ebony skin
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