DOOTAN. 
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S3 
marking the time by a slow movement of the hands and feet, which I con¬ 
sidered as a solemn dance, in strict unison with the monotony of their 
music. The whole variety of their motions consisted in alternately 
resting on each foot, as they advanced one before the other; their 
hands being raised about as high as the shoulder, and placed a little 
before them, were perpetually turned with a circular kind of motion 
that reversed their backs and palms. On the top of the hill, we found 
a small level spot, which situation seems to be always preferred for 
the scene of their devotions. Here', against a large tree, was placed a 
kind of altar, elevated about three feet from the ground: the back and 
two narrow sides were covered with yellow silk, and on the back hung 
four handkerchiefs, red, blue, yellow, and white; a white handkerchief, 
fastened on one side, was suspended in front, and falling in an easy fes¬ 
toon near the top, was sustained by another on the opposite side. There 
were three lamps burning upon the altar, with flowers and fruits in 
plates. Before the altar were six persons, arranged in a row, and in 
the following order: on the left of the whole stood the Lama; next a 
priest, who beat on a large tabor, with a long curved iron instead of 
a stick; a priest with cymbals; a priest with a tabor; and a priest 
blowing an instrument made of the shin bone of a man: on the right 
hand side stood two trumpeters. 
We were presented with a lighted rod of the perfumed compo¬ 
sition, which we held in our hands. A cup full of rice was brought 
to us, with one of the lighted rods stuck upright in it: we touched 
the rice, as did the Soobah also, and it was then placed upon the 
altar. The Soobah stood on the left side of the altar; we were 
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