The Dance Begins

Then it was from some far-away place in the forest, or so it seemed, that the voices of men chanting, with but little of music in their tones, could be heard, and this noise came nearer and nearer, until, from amid the trees, we could see fifteen or twenty savages hopping and skipping along, dressed in most ridiculous fashion, as if they were taking part in some foolish revel.

One had affixed to his head a set of deer's antlers, and covering his face was a mask of most hideous design, while hanging from his body were long strips of hide, with beads of metal at the end which tinkled like a bell when he danced.

Another bristled all over with feathers that stood upright, both before and behind, until he was like some huge bird, from the midst of which two hands could be seen, holding thin bands of copper which he struck together sharply, producing a ringing sound.

Others were dressed all in skins to represent animals, while some came out naked save for a short skirt or apron around their waists, and their bodies covered with vivid red and yellow paint.

It was a most comical, and, at the same time, to me, frightful procession which came thus slowly dancing and leaping, with many contortions of the body, from out the foliage, and those brown-skinned people around the fire still sat like statues, giving no heed to the band of mummers until they had come to the outer-most row where were the older men.