10 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRTCA. 
CHAP. I. 
which the procession was to set out. I certainly felt that my 
situation was a very dangerous one ; but being resolved on the 
attempt, and telling the man to follow me closely, I dashed in with 
the crowd, and succeeded in getting near the Saints, who, with 
dishevelled hair, were rapidly turning round, and working them- 
selves into a most alarming state of frenzy. A band of barbarous 
music was playing to them, while several men were constantly 
employed in sprinkling them with rose-water. Had I been dis- 
covered, my life would have been in very great jeopardy ; but for- 
tunately I was able to keep my countenance, and to pass unnoticed ; 
and when the performers were sufficiently inspired, sallied out with 
them, and followed through the streets. One had a large nail run 
through his face from one cheek to the other ; and all had bitten 
their tongues in so violent a manner as to cause blood and sahva to 
flow copiously. They were half naked, at intervals uttering short 
groans and howls ; and as they proceeded (sometimes three or four 
abreast leaning on each other,)' they threw their heads backwards 
and forwards with a quick motion, which caused tlie blood to rise 
in their faces, and their eyes to project from the sockets to a 
frightful degree. Their long black hair, which grew from the 
crown of the head (the other parts being closely shaven), was con- 
tinually waving to and fro, owing to the motion of the head. One 
or two, who were the most furious, and who continually attempted 
to run at the crowd, were held by a man on each side, by means 
of a rope, or a handkerchief tied round the middle. As we 
passed through one of the streets, a party of Maltese and other 
Christians were discovered on a terrace, and were instantly assailed 
by showers of stones. I observed that whenever the Mariiboots 
passed the house of a Christian, they affected to be ungovernable, 
and endeavoured to get near it, pretending they made the dis- 
covery by smelling out Unbehevers. After following for an hour or 
