The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-29


the Fire, Few Even wincang.
We found our friends and went on again
q half hour more through the crowded
streets 10 the temple There crowd was
gathered. Ii was about 5 o'clock, and at
dark the priests were TO begin TO walk
over the nre-for that IL what We were
there TO see. Twice a year the gods are
prevailed on to take the heat from the
fire. 80 that the deyout may walk upon u
unframed The skeptics In our party out
numbered the believers. but you shall see.
At the steps we must take on our shoes
and contribute our l yen TO the support
Of the temple. Arrangements had been
carefully made beforehand and for me
Europeans a small veranda was reserved
directly opposite the whole length OF the
fire and so close that our faces grew not
ter and hotter as II burned brighter. Haif
Toxic was there; Russians and French.
Swiss, Germans. English. Scotch. Ameri-
cans. Some Of us slipped away to SEQ the
ceremony preceding the IRE walking. In
the chancei. as I may call II for want OF
another word, two rows Of priests sat
facing each other. Several were In robes
OF white silk. one in blue and one IN green.
The effect was brilliant and made still
more picturesque by the ciose-fitting
horse-hair caps with long tails OF the
high priest and his subordinates. After
some muttered invocations the high priest
turned to a cupboard-like shrine in one
corner Of the chancel. where he burned
incense and performed other acts OF de-
votion. apparently. Behind him In two
long lines like flying wedge in foot
ball game knelt the other priests. now
Joined by two women Of the temple with
reverent faces. The half-intone service
was not unlike Gregorian chant, and
was accompanied by continuous re-
Spouse from the congregation. Through
out the latter part we stood in the door,
way of one of the temple apartments
opening out Of the chancel Here re-
freshments were provided for guests. or
anges. tea t?)-and for courtesy. not for
payment. Later, in response to thanks.
Of the visitors.
The BED OF Charcoal.
As the priests filed out Of the temple we
took our places on the veranda, proceed
ing less easy than II sounds. as we had to
find ourselves places on the already crowd
ed floor and sit or kneel in them as grace
fully as might be. The bed OF charcoal was
already lighted when We arrived, and was
now fully on fire. 1t was. We agreed. some
sixteen feet long. four feet wide and per-
haps a foot deep. 1t was in a space fenced
of from the courtyard. and on the side
opposite to US the crowd OF men. women
ana children pressed against the barrier.
The Are was at present covered with ashes.
but soon attendants entered the open space
and with long handled fans blew away tho
gray covering and famed the charcoal UNI
til II was a mass OF blazing. glowing EN-
bers Little flames sprang up over II in all
directions, and one lady among us put up
hor umbrella to protect herself from the
heat. Another OF the party began to feel
the headache which the charcoal always
caused her. There was no doubt In any
ones mind that the fire was hot-blaz:ng.
burning hot, and something like sixteen
feet OF II, too. 20 les malheureux, les mali
heureuxv' exclaimed an excited French
woman, as she fanc!ed herself walking
over those er.5erx
When all the ash was famed away and
the FIRE had been beaten to a fierce glow
with long POLES, white-robed priests enter
ed. one OF whom. taking salt from sup
ply placed near US, attended the high priest
as he went to each Of the four corners OF
the pile At each he slapped his hands.
c!asped them and raised them on high. as
IL in suppiication. bent his head in prayer
and ended by strew!ng handful OF salt
about him II was the motion Of a man
SOWING sSesl. ana Dut lew ErdiiS can nave
fallen In any one spot At the middle OF
each side and end this was repeated
Uniuue and Picturesque Scene.
II was now growing dark and the biax-
ing embers threw a glow over the white
dress Of the priests. The high priest was
a striking man. His motions were quick.
decisive. Intelligent. as he rapidly passed
from one place TO another. We could see
his face distinctly. we were so close. The
darkness lent added effectiveness TO the
next ceremony. Each corner and side
was now purified again. for publication
II meant this time. The attendants
struck a slint as the priests prayed. and
the sparks. flying OF In the dark. made
a shower OF tiny. thin, yellow lights
against the rich. glowing. red mass Of
charcoal and the dark crowd OF figures
beyond.
A drizzling rain was falling. but II az
fected the fire little II was now beaten
with poles until II glowed again. "a the
high priest ended HIS inyocations. And
before understood what ne was doing
a little scream from our French lady
startled me into realizing that. making
no break or pause, with one Of his swift
motions he had stepped ont and along
the fire path. The glow 81 colors from
below on his white dress and dark skin
WAS worthy OF Rembrandt He troa on
the fire firmly. though quickly. and the
other priest followed The high priest
walked nire times. He set each foot
down firmly. and only one appeared 20
feel the smallest discomfort Then he
stepped somewhat 20 one side. by mis-
take II seemed. and visibiy WINGED carry
ing II OF by series of affected steps
high IN the air, Is II II were all in his
part
Winring . Sign of fmpuvify.
After the priests came the crowd. women
carrying children. = man With sick per
s0r on his back boys ~ al ages Zach
stepped over a vet MAJ. through a small
pile ~ sal. on 20 the fire The salt was
ordinary coarse salt I've had & anafyzsdl
AZ least SIX steps were necessary TO cross
tire FIRE. some walkers took more nearly
ell were fairly deliberate. One or two.
san-fes fei' the heat urconfortably BIZ.
no. painfully. for on coming OF she IRE
they ~r1sgiei .hei- feet about in he Is.le
~ al. az the farther erd "a ~ g cooled
them Most ~ them 1.sreFsr'ea 7. alto
ge@hsr. often stepping across :: rishou,
touching -. One ch.is was afraid IN walk
ard threw Up 80 arms before SO face as