n African, apparently addressed to some one
inside the house; for an instant after the door was flung open, and
Martin, almost naked, and with his body painted to represent a
skeleton, stalked forth to meet us.

'He asked us very angrily what we wanted there, and seemed
particularly annoyed at seeing Jean Marie. However, on my repeated
assurances that we only came to see what was going on, he at last
consented to our remaining to see the dance; only cautioning us that
we must keep perfect silence, and that a word, much more a laugh,
would entail most serious consequences.

'As long as I live I shall never forget that scene. The hut was
lighted by some eight or ten candles or lamps; and in the centre,
dimly visible, was a Fetish, somewhat of the appearance of a man,
but with the head of a cock. Everything that the coarsest fancy
could invent had been done to make this image horrible; and yet it
appeared to be the object of special adoration to the devotees
assembled.

'Jean Marie, to be out of the way, clambered on to one of the cross-
beams that supported the roof, whilst I leaned against the side
wall, as near as I could get to the aperture that served for a
window, to avoid the smells, which were overpowering.

'Martin took his seat astride of an African tom-tom or drum; and I
noticed at the time that Jean Marie's naked foot hung down from the
cross-beam almost directly over Martin's head.

'Martin now began to chant a monotonous African song, accompanying
with the tom-tom.

'Gradually he began to quicken the measure; quicker went the words;
quicker beat the drum; and suddenly one of the women sprang into the
open space in front of the Fetish. Round and round she went,
keeping admirable time with the music.

'Quicker still went the drum. And now the whole of the woman's body
seemed electrified by it; and, as if catching the infection, a man
now joined her in the mad dance. Couple after couple entered the
arena, and a true sorcerers' sabbath began; while light after light
was extinguished, till at last but one remained; by whose dim ray I
could just perceive the faint outlines of the remaining persons.

'At this moment, from some cause or other, Jean Marie burst into a
loud laugh.

'Instantly the drum stopped; and I distinctly saw Martin raise his
right hand, and, as it appeared to me, seize Jean Marie's naked foot
between his finger and thumb.

'As he did so, Jean Mari