82 THE FEAST OF THE DEAD. [1637. 



younger warriors stood in lines, each bearing 

 lighted pine-knots or rolls of birch-bark. The 

 heat, the smoke, the glare of flames, the wild yells, 

 contorted visages, and furious gestures of these 

 human devils, as their victim, goaded by their 

 torches, bounded through the fires again and agam, 

 from end to end of the house, transfixed the priests 

 with horror. But when, as day dawned, the last 

 spark of life had fled, they consoled themselves 

 with the faith that the tortured wretch had found 

 his rest at last in Paradise.^ 



1 Le Mercier's long; and minute account of the torture of this prisoner 

 Is too revolting to be dwelt upon. One of the most atrocious features of 

 the scene was the alternation of raillery and ironical compliment which 

 attended it throughout, as well as the pains taken to preserve life and 

 consciousness in the victim as long as possible. Portions of his flesh 

 were afterwards devoured. 



