The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-04
WORSHIPBD A SERPENT.
Weird TOOd0O CeremOnials in a
Haytian Forest.

Captain Jonathan CroweH. q veteran
Yankee skipper, who went to Baradaires
Bav. Rayti, some months ago, to get a load
If logwood, surprised the natives during
their weird voodoo ceremonies. He and
his comrade felt that there might be more
danger in retreaung, aud thereby showing
c0wardice, than in maintaining their stand,
firmly and respectfully.
Captain Crowell was rather a favorite
with the Haytians, who liked the frank,
hearty way of the Yankee sailor, and, as
they saw him and the mate remove their
hats, and profoundly bow to everybody in
general. the hostile signs Logan to disap-
pear. The captain and his companion we're
permitted 10 remain. as if by tacit agree
meut
As their eyes became accustomed to the
scene, upon which the shades of a starry
tropical evening were rapidly falling, the
two Americans caught glimpse Of a snake
Of unusual size, lying coled in apparent
lethaTgy in the center OF the clearing. 1t
was If the boa species and, they judged,
not less than twenty feet long. The serpent
seemed Indifferent to its surroundings, al
though about 200 persons were gathered in
the clearing, IN the center Of which the anil
nal TepJSed.
Suddenly the sound of a weird chant
arose from the thTOng. An elderly man, of
full negro blood, stepped out from the
crowd within few feet Of the SERPENT and
Whirled around in slow, mOnGtOnOus
dance. The serpent lazily lifted its head
and waved it from side to side in unison
with the motions Of the dancer and the tune
which the people were chanting. The
dancer whiTled more and more rapidly, the
chant grew faster and the snake seemed TO
catch the excitement as it swung its head
more swiftly aud darted its tongue out
vciOusiy Then, quick as flash, dancer
and audience dropped to their knees and on
their faces, as If in silent worship before
the serpent.
The head of the snake ceased to move to
and fro, but remained uplifted, looking
down on the PROSTATE WOrshipeTs Captain
CrOwell, hardy sailor as he is. and accus-
TONED TO Haytians and their ways. declares
that he felt creepy, and would fam have re-
tired from the scene if he could have been
sure Of escaping notice.
The serpent woTsbipeTs were On their
feet almost as quickly as they had sunk to
the earth, and the chant was resumed, but
In a louder tone. The old man who had
been dancing disappeared In the crowd.
About three minutes later he reappeared,
followed by two young men dragging a
h0rnless goat As the young men brought
the goat within easy reach Of the serpents
head the fOur-fOOted victim shook as if
paralyzed with fright. Lett to itself. it
seemed magaetized TO the spot. The boa
gave 1t no time to recover.
The jaws Of the serpent seized the goat in
an instant and with a rapidly Of motion
that the eye Of the observer failed to fol-
low the coils were around it. In a second
the goat was q llfeleSs, shapeess mass.
Then the serpent proceeded with the slow
process Of dining.
Meantime the worshipers of the snake
grew more and more madly excited. The
evening was sultry and the air loaded with
the balm Of the Haytian forest. Their
dancing became wilder; the single garment
that had tnrel0ped them was thrown aside
and the Haytians threw themselves into the
occasion with the frenzy of their barbaric
ancestors. lhey danced, they leaped; they
shouted, until the forest rang with the will
echoes Of their fetch cries.
The old man who acted as high priest in
the savage rites was the widest and most
furious of all. Captain Crowell and his
mate were glad TO shrink out of sight in the
shadows, and the mad worshipers seemed
to have no thought for them.-Philadelphi
Press.