Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-07-04
RAIN MADE TO ORDER.
THE MARVELLOUS TALE OF A MODERN
MUNCHAUSEN.

MONCF1AOSeN.
Astounding Performances of MnSicians
I'm West Africn-A Man Floats IN Air
A Most Impressive Fent-The Priests
of Banl.
In a foreign publication there is brief
paper upon "West African Magic, the
author of which, protesting to write in
Ill 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 all 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,
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 ctr lpprrnI Ia m n
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 I'M
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 APP
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.
All 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
minute darker shade was observable
in the copper tint, in another minute it
grew darker and darker, and in a few
more seconds developed into black cloud
which soon overspread the heavens.
In a moment vivid flash 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 a strong matched
conical roof. l eventually persuaded
them to give me one or two examples of
their skill. They began singing, orrather
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 I'm.
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. I got up and went to feel the
man in the air, and there was no doubt
about his levitation. He then foated
close to the wall and passed through it to
the outside.
When l reentered the hut there was
only the old man present. ! 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 l saw
his 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 disappearance and reappear-
ances. The curious point about this was
that the old man also was dripping wet.
A most impressive feat, which they on
a subsequent occasion performed was the
old custom of the priests of Baal.
Commencing lugubrious 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 derry
ishes. There were two distinct move
ments; all the time during which they
were gyrating round the circle they were
rapidly spinning on their own axes.
With the rapidity of their evolutions
their voices were raised higher and higher
until the din was terrific. Then by 81
multaneous movement each began slash
ing his naked body ON arms, chest, and
thigh until they were streaming with
blood and covered with deep gashes,
Then the old man stopped his erratic
course, and, sitting down on the ground.
narrowly watched the younger one with
apparent solicitude. The young man CON
tinued his frantic exertions 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
anointed the blades with some evil smell
ing grease from a calabash. and then
stroked the young mans body all over
with the blade which had done the in
Juries, and finished the operation by