Vol. IX, No. 2.] | Fr. Krick among the Abors (1853). 109 
[N.8.] 
cross so similar to theirs and my reputation of a French priest 
were my only passport. My reception was accompanied with 
ceremonies peculiar enough to find place in this letter 
Eighteen young men met me at the foot of the mountain. 
No sooner did I move on, than the two youngest of the band 
proceeded to cover my body with leaves, whilst singing words 
utterly unintelligible to me. They meant of course to purify 
ted with all sorts of devilries and monsters pierced with arrows, 
and in striking attitudes that baffle description. This piece of 
architecture was fearful to behold, as well it might be, for it 
through the first barricades; the most vicious devils would 
retreat before such a terrific uproar. The spirits being thus 
settled to everybody’s satisfaction, I had now to lend myself 
to the curiosity of the crowd. 
In an instant, I was surrounded by a circle of eager men 
and women, studying every detail of my figure. I was re eated- 
low, and his flabby ears, 
admiration. The crowd kept watch the whole night ; fleas were 
o less anxious to get to my. skin; with so many guests, sleep 
of course could not be very long. 
ext any. general ‘abet which the whole village was 
convoked. The six chiefs sat down in a circle, right in the 
The president of this uncouth senate 
sit at his right, and without previous 
ad with a reed helmet of monstrous size, 
s hair, and another 
of bear’s fur, two bear’s tusks crossing eac n mM} 
This was the signal that opened the meeting. After 
