298 TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. \Juue, 
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dance, and making a curious whirring, humming noise : 
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on reaching the door they parted on each side, distri- | 
buting their calabashes to whoever wished to drink. In ■ 
a minute or two they were all empty, and the cup- j 
bearers returned to fill them, bringing them every time. ,1 
with the same peculiar forms, which evidently constitute I 
the etiquette of the caxiri- servers. As each of the ca- : 
labashes holds at least two quarts, the quantity drunk ^ 
during a whole night that this process is going on must , 
be very great. | 
Presently the Capi was introduced, an account of 
which I had had from Senhor L. An old man comes | 
forward with a large newly -painted earthen pot, which * 
he sets down in the middle of the house. He then I 
squats behind it, stirs it about, and takes out two small [ 
calabashes-full, which he holds up in each hand. After | 
a moment's pause, two Indians advance with bows and 
arrows or lances in their hands. Each takes the proffered 
cup and drinks, makes a wry face, for it is intensely bitter, j 
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and stands motionless perhaps half a minute. They ! 
then with a start twang their bows, shake their lances, 
stamp their feet, and return to their seats. The little ^ 
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bowls are again fiUed, and two others succeed them, 
with a similar result. Some however become more ex- j 
cited, run furiously, lance in hand, as if they would kill * 
an enemy, shout and stamp savagely, and look very war- 
like and terrible, and then, like the others, return quietly 
to their places. Most of these receive a hum or shake 
of applause from the spectators, which is also gh 
times during the dances. 
The house at this time contained at least three 
