Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

SUFFERINGS AMONG THE INDIANS. 207
snatch firebrands from the fire, put them in
their mouths, and run about burning every
body they come near : at other times, it is a
custom with them to wound one another with
sharp muscle-shells till they are besmeared
with blood. These orgies continue till those
who preside in them foam at the mouth, grow
faint, are exhausted with fatigue, and dissolve
in a profusion of sweat. When the men drop
their part in this frenzy, the women take it
up, acting over again much the same kind of
wild scene, except that they rather outdo the
men in shrieks and noise. Our cacique, who
had been reclaimed from these abominations
by the Spaniards, and just knew the exterior
form of crossing himself, pretended to be
much offended at these profane ceremonies,
and that he would have died sooner than have
partaken of them. Among other expressions
of disapprobation, he declared, that whilst the
savages solemnized these horrid rites, he never
failed to hear strange and uncommon noises
in the woods, and to see frightful visions;
and assured us, that the devil was the chief
actor among them upon these occasions.
It might be about the middle of March,
when we embarked with these Indians. They