90 A BOOK-LOVER'S HOLIDAYS 



moved about among the snakes, barelegged 

 and barefooted, with no touch of concern. 

 One or two of the rattlers became vicious under 

 the strain, and coiled and struck. I thought 

 I saw one of the two shepherding watchers 

 struck in the hand by a recalcitrant sidewinder 

 which refused to be soothed by the feathers, and 

 which he finally picked up; but, if so, the man 

 gave no sign and his placidity remained un- 

 ruffled. Most of the snakes showed no anger at 

 all; it seemed to me extraordinary that they 

 were not all of them maddened. 



When the snakes had all been washed, the 

 leading priest again prayed. Afterward he once 

 more scattered meal in the bowl, in lines east, 

 west, north, and south, and twice diagonally. 

 The chant was renewed; it grew slower; the 

 rattles were rattled more slowly; then the sing- 

 ing stopped and all was over. 



At the end of the ceremony I thanked my 

 hosts and asked if there was anything I could 

 do to show my appreciation of the courtesy 

 they had shown me. They asked if I could 

 send them some cowry shells, which they use 

 as decorations for the dance. I told them I 

 would send them a sackful. They shook hands 

 cordially with all of us, and we left. I have 

 never seen a wilder or, in its way, more impres- 



