404 cook's VOYAGE TO JULY, 



went through the whole number of baskets. The 

 fish were presented, one by one on the forked sticks, 

 as they came in, to two men who sat on the left ; 

 and who, till now, held green branches in their hands. 

 The first fish they laid down on their right, and the 

 second on their left. When the third was presented, 

 a stout looking man, who sat behind the other two, 

 reached his arm over between them, and made a 

 snatch at it; as also did the other two, at the very 

 same time. Thus they seemed to contend for every 

 fish that was presented ; but as there were two 

 hands against one, besides the advantage of situation, 

 the man behind got nothing but pieces ; for he never 

 quitted his hold, till the fish was torn out of his hand ; 

 and what little remained in it, he shook out behind 

 him. The others laid what they got, on the right 

 and left alternately. At length, either by accident 

 or design, the man behind got possession of a whole 

 fish, without either of the other two so much as 

 touching it. At this, the word mareeai, which sig- 

 nifies very good, or well done, was uttered in a low 

 voice throughout the whole crowd. It seemed, that 

 he had performed now all that was expected from 

 him ; for he made no attempt upon the few fish that 

 came after. These fish, as also the baskets, were all 

 delivered, Jby the persons who brought them in, 

 sitting ; and in the same order and manner the 

 small poles, which the first procession carried, had 

 been laid upon the ground. 



The last procession being closed, there was some 

 speaking or praying, by different persons. Then, on 

 some signal being given, we all started up, ran seve- 

 ral paces to the left, and sat down with our backs to 

 the prince, and the few who remained with him. I 

 was desired not to look behind me. However, 

 neither this injunction, nor the remembrance of 

 Lot's wife, discouraged me from facing about. I 

 now saw that the prince had turned his face to the 

 moral. But this last movement had brought so many 



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