a very gross, not to say revolting
character. In the heat of the excitement a wild scream startled the
bystanders, and soon the women were rushing in every direction,
seemingly in the most abject terror.

Pursuing them was a hideous monster entirely nude, his body being
blackened with charcoal and bear's grease until it shone like ebony; his
face was marked with a profusion of white rings about an inch in
diameter, and around his mouth were frightful indentures which closely
resembled canine teeth. In addition to his hideous appearance, he gave
the most frightful shrieks as he dashed through the crowd. This
unearthly creature carried in his hand a staff of about six feet in
length, with a red ball at the end of it, which he pushed along the
ground in front of him as he ran. All eyes, save those of the braves
engaged in the dance, were upon him as he dashed on in pursuit of the
women. They fled in the wildest disorder falling over each other in
their frantic endeavors to elude the monster's grasp.

The master of ceremonies now interfered, and advancing from his position
beside the chief, ran up to where the women were struggling with the
demon, and, thrusting his medicine pipe before the black monster, held
him immovable under its charm. This action enabled the females to get
safely out of his reach, and when free from danger, although their
hearts still beat with the excitement, they soon became calm, and,
seeing that he was ignominiously subjugated by the charm of the
all-potent pipe, indulged in the most extravagant laughter, and shouts
of applause at his sudden defeat, and at the ridiculous posture in which
he was held. They presented a striking picture as they stood there face
to face--the old man standing erect, his face tremulous with suppressed
emotion, while his eyes gleamed with rage and hatred. The evil spirit on
the other hand, cowed, and trembling, seemed transfixed with terror. At
intervals he would make an effort to break the spell, and darting to
one side attempt to break off in the direction of the prairie; but the
ever-vigilant chief was at his side in a twinkling and holding the
potent charm _to his nose_, reduce him to instant obedience. Thus they
stood, the one with his body painted black and representing the Evil
One, frowning everlasting vengeance on the other, who sternly gazed him
back with a look of exultation and contempt, as he held him in check and
powerless under the influence of his magic