The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-08-02

down, their object being to burn Il of
in the fire. They do not appear
to suffer from the heat of the
fire, but how they avoid it is
not certain. They make all the
play and appearance as though
their task was difficult, and il GER
tainly is terrible punishment to rp-
proach near enough to the flames to
burn of the down. Some rush M
quickly and burn it; others twist and
turn, apparently without much suffer-
ing. They dart at the fire and then
retreat, to return again, turning and
turning, and finally the down is
burned from all the sticks.
''rhen the task is to restore II.
They continue to dance and dip their
wands into the flames, and suddenly,
as though by magic, the ball of down
is back again. When this is done
they call the cry of the sandhill crane
and rush ont of the inclosure. II is
easy to explain how the down is re-
stored. The performers hold in the
hand n ball of down and some pitch,
and by some dexterous motions, too
quick for the eye to discern in the
light of the fire, they fasten the down
by catching the end of the stick. The
performers, OF course, use every effort
to make it appear difficult, and show
crafty movements, somewhat similar
to those of the sleight- of hand men on
the stage.
THAT band retires, and toward
morning, Just before dawn, when the
great fire has burned down and be-
come heap of embers, they or O
similar band return, bearing in their
arms bundles of SHREDDED cedar bark.
After songs and ceremonies the leader
of the dance lights his in the fire, and
with that he lights those of the other
performers. When these great bunches
of dry cedar are ablaze, and it would
appear that the faces and hands of
the performers would be burned, they
begin wild race around the fire.
The object is to whip the man in front
with fire. Each man runs over the
embers with his bare feet. When they
catch up with the man in front they
flagelette him with the burning wands.
Sometimes they wrap them around his
body, They continue to tear around
the fire until the torches are entirely
burned. Then they throw down the
stump that remains in their hands,
rush out of the corral and disappear
in the darkness.
"These men look like marble
statues, and as they rush about in the
weird light of the dying fire, with
blazing torches in their hands from
which the fire streams six or eight
feet, it is grand spectacle. The
question is whether the cedar bark
ignites at n low temperature and does
not emit burning heat, or whether
the white clay with which tho Indians
coat their bodies is an excellent non
conductor. The latter / think is the
secret. These tricks are performed
during the ceremony of the Mountain
Chant. All the night is given over to
them"
Have You ever known Navajo to
go on the platform and perform his
tricks?" / asked.
81 have never known of such a
thing. / do not know that anyone
has ever tried to induce them. They
might be induced, but whether they
would give n satisfactory performance
is a question. Out of their native
country, with their primitive surround
.ings, the great starry sky overhead,
the fires burning in the corrals, anu
with their unique situation. it is very
impressive. / do not know what
would be the effect if the tricks were
tried on stage. Chicago Record.