New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-11

sian in sight was similarly occupied. and
rightly came to the conclusion that such pro-
cedure was part Of the ceremony.
Following on the heels Of the mourners came
a dozen priests all in black, and behind them n
half dozen men bearing a queer-looking object,
somewhat resembling in shape a bath chair.
but almost hidden with black cloth and Grape.
Then followed beautiful white horse almost
hidden from view with exquisely embroidered
shawls and scarfs. Astride of the animal sat
small boy dressed in flowing robes Of spotless
white the crown Of his head shaver, and carry
ing in his little hands fierce-oOking sword, the
use or which | was to learn later on. In front
of the youngster perched upon the proudly
, curved neck OF the horse were number of
snOw-white pigeons.
Then followed more torchbearers and a boGS
OF about two hundred men, each with the le'l
breast barred. Then another body of men witt
barred backs, each carrying in his right hand an
instrument of self-torture, which Moses says
was known as the "chain scourge." These
scourges' were made in the shape Of cato,
| nlne-tails. the tails" however, being made Il
closely linked chains instead Of the stout leathet
which usually charao terizes this ancient instru-
ment OF punishment for nsubordinate sailors.
Then came more torches and a double line Of
| about two hundred men, each with the top Of
his head closely shaven. They dressed in
flowing robes OF white and carried swords Of
every conceivable description. These men
walked sideways. the lines facing each other.
Lastly came a body of about a hundred school
! children. all neatly uniformed in a suit Of blue
cloth. They were led by half-grown youth,
came in on the refrain. The melody very
like some Of our old time darky songs and most
pleasing to the ear.
HORRIBLE SELF-TORTURES.
Three times did this strange procession march
around the square and then left to repeat theit
performance at neighboring han. 1t was not
long gone, however. for soon renewed cheering
was heard, and the procession re-entered the
Valdez Square. When the white horse came
| again into view | was Mortified to see that tha
white robes of its little rider were bloodstained
and that crimson stream was running down his
| face from wounds he was. apparently. inictng
in his scalp with sword he carried. The poor
pigeons too. were blood-stained. and even the
priceless shawls and scarfs had great splotches
of the crimson gore on them.
The mOurnerS came again with redcaDled IA
mentations. followed by the men with the barred
| breasts. These were shouting the names Has
sein, Hussen with mOnOtonous regularity, ac-
cOmpanying each cry with a terrific blow OF the
right hand on the barred left breast. The sound
| thus produced somewhat resembed the sinful
taneous discharge of number OF small arms.
Then followed the men with the chain
scOurges." They too, were shouting the names
| of Hassein and Hussen, and with each shout
they would swing the scourge over their heads
the chains striking the bare skin with vicious
swish, leaving cruel white welts. There was no
make believe about the force Of the blows, FOR
| already the skin the backs OF some was
broken and bleeding freely.
| And then | witnessed a most horrible slgnt
The men who I told you were dressed in white
robes and carried swords next came into view
They were bOOdstaned from head to foot. Iney
still walked sideways, and with every cry OF
| "Hassein Hussein.' the swords came down on
their unprotected heads. At first / could hardly
believe my eyes, and tried to persuade mysei,
that they had merely beSmeared their races anu
dresses with the blood OF some animals, out as
they drew near saw that it with their own
| blood from self-inficted wounds. thar THESE poor
| fanatics were disigured. AS the two lines passed
the place where was standing and could nave
touched those nearest me by stretching out my
arm l saw the swords raised their ran ana tne
squirt Of blood which followed the contact OF tne
blade with the bare scalp me white snIrt wI h
Of the ladies Of party were sprinkler Win .ile
! crimson fluid 1t was horrible, ihcredipis' uis
gusting. 1 shrank back as far as couu' anu
would have fled the place had such thlis ueeI
possible The ladies' Of our party were teirin'y
arected and after one Mortified look at the
| chastity scene turned away and buried their
faces in their trembling hands TO get away d.
that moment next to an impossiolilty' anu
we were forced to remain to the bitter end
THE CLIMAX OF THE FRENZY.
Again the procession passed, the frenzy or the
nrincinal actors increasing every minute. They
we're BY this time beyond control, and were IN
0icting terrible wounds on themselves. frienuS
Of the participants walked back OF theh' s.i. No
in hand with which they would ward OH the
| blows. Several Of the men fell 10 the srouiln
| in a fainting condition. and were quickly porhc
| from the scene by eager hands Of their COM
patriots At the third and last turn OF the pro,
| cession around the square. those VINO couid sun
| walk staggered along as though they were n.,"ty
intoxicated, and were horrlfylnS sishlSi inei
| hnads and faces were one mass of cotted blood,
| and their Once-white robes were fairy dilpplhS
with blood We left the scene 81 TINS odroa'ou'
| ceremony with the least possible ueld!' NY
! hanIs tromhlod my st ,ps were unsteady. there
was a taste Of blood in my mouth, taste WiiCh
follows the extraction of Il troublesome too.n'
and a crimson mist rendered am my e!eHiS"''
| Never will | again voluntarily witness such d
scene A battle field after a desperate engage
mcnt between opposing forces could not possibly
be more sanguinary in appearance.
nj I t1lI