Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08

ftful glare over the scene and filled the
great building with resinous smoke.
Round one side the Indian men were
seated---row after row Of closely packed,
savage-looking figures, staring fixedly
ahead, smoking their ceremonial pipes
of carved stone, and giving not the least
sign that they had noticed my entrance
or were aware Of my presence. Be-
tween them and the central aitarlike
| structure was fire OF huge logs. and
sweetened chocolate, while nearby
others stirred an immense pot Of rice
chicha.
| Moving silently about, other girls
were passing the chicha and bitter
chocolate to the men: and on the OPP
posite side of the altar sat scores of
women, their hair falling over their
| faces and their eyes fixed upon the
floor. AL about the altar were placed
small earthenware effigies of birds.
beasts, and reptiles, with a few human
| figures, some monsters that rosembled
ogres or devils. and many miniature
| clay pots, dishes, and plates.
This / took in at glance, and then
seated myself on low stool that had
been reserved for me.
the altar and began to harrangue the
assembled Guaymis. What he said i
could not catch, though now and then
word was Ineligible: but as he
ceased speaking chorus OF "KwankS!'
came gutturaiiy from some OF the IN
dams Next MonteZuma stepped for
ward, arrayed in his most gorgeous
regalia and with the long feathers OF
the quetzal crown cleaning like emer-
aids in the torchiight. He spoke very
eioquently and as he concluded roar
Of "K'wank! K'wank" came from the
| audience.
Montezuma resumed his seat, and a
strange and impressive figure came
| hopping TO the center OF the noor.
Gorgeousiy clad, decorated with strings
of scalp-locks, feathers and animal
skins, his chest covered with beadWork
| and teeth, a crown OF immense white
aigrets upon his head. and his wrinkied
! features almost concealed by intricate
painting, I scarcely recognized the OLD
dance chief whom ] had dOctored the
preceding afternoon.
In a high. cracked voice he addressed
the Indians, leaping In air and waving
his arms meanwhile TO emphasize ms
words. When he ceased, every indian
present shouted "K'wank! K'wankT
The vote, whatever 1t was, was unanl-
nous.
The next moment Neonandi and
MonteAima came forward, and, grasp
ing my arms, led me, surprised ano
unresisting, 10 spot beside the affair
Was /, I wondered. 10 be sacri1ccd
Had all the ceremony been planned "
lead up 10 this end?
1.-THE next instant the medicine-chiei
i came hopping from his corner, car.
rying a basket and q bag. Thfustlnl
clawiike hand into II. he drew out 9
bead collar and gorget, which ~
quickly placed about my neck. Mex
came string Of teeth and a filiet o.
scalp-iocks. A painted drum was hunt
over my shoulder, and then, as Monte
yuma deity drew the tribal marx o.
the Guaymis across my cheeks ant
added two round spots below them ant
a line down my nose, the medicine
chief placed a crown of the hair IRON
the giant ant-bear upon my head.
felt terribly conspicuous with al
those 0uaymig staring at me; for ever
the women had brushed their han
aside and turned 10 gaze ut the cere'
mony. And ] was nervous Ms To th'
further steps In the initiation. Should
be forced 10 endure some torture u
prove my fitness TO become member
OF the tribe. or To undergo some other
and perhaps equally unpleasant ant
impossible test?
!. There were hawis and bedlarfl o.
drunaA. whistles. ratties and trumpets