[ 77 1 
The Knowledge however of this could 
be of little ufe to them, for they were at 
a Iofs for the materials necefTary to per- 
form the experiment. They had no other 
wood but fir, which, as it was brought 
them by the waves, was much too wet 
for 
memorates the dccolation of St. Jch:-i. On this 
day the Ruffian pcafants lead their horfes to the 
church of the village, rear to the fide of which 
they have the evening before dug a cavity under 
ground, with two openings, one for entering, the 
other (or going out. Each horie having a bridle made 
of the rind of lime-tree, is made to enter this 
cavity in proccffional order; at the outlet Hands 
a prieft, with a brufh in his hand, to fprinkle the 
creatures with holy water; and as they fucceffively 
come out, the bridle of each is taken off, and the 
horfes arc then made to walk between two fires, 
kindled, by what the Ruffians call Givey Agon t 
that is Living Fire: into one of thefe fires the 
peafants throw their bridles, where they are con- 
fumed. The manner of kindling this Givoy Agr,n 3 
is as follows. Tlicv take a branch of the mapie- 
tree, which is prcvioully dried, and about fix feet 
Ion-;,; tins they rub hard on a piece of birch, which 
is alio thoroughly dried; but being fofter than the 
former, it is toon let on [ire bv the trichwn, and 
ici'ves for makiii*! the two f:: :s. beioi . v. :ntioiKcl. 
