Page:Here and there in Yucatan - miscellanies (IA herethereinyucat00lepl 0).djvu/155

 After various preparations the doctor diminishes the light as much as possible without extinguishing it; and concentrates his thoughts, slowly smoking one of the cigars. From time to time he introduces the lighted end in his mouth, absorbing a quantity of smoke; he also takes one of the instruments mentioned, and sounds it rapidly close to his ears. With his mouth he fumigates his arms and hands, in the form of a cross, until, compelled by the repetition of these operations, he closes his eyes and seems to be in a somnambulistic state.

Half tottering, he rises and passes his hands several times over his forehead; then, with uplifted arms, goes to the nearest wall, strikes it hard with the palms of his hands, and recedes a few steps, always unsteady, repeating the operation two or three times. At last, able to stand firm, he turns toward the company, and says, "Good-evening." His movements are free; his features, language, way of walking, all his actions, polite or rude, take the character of the individual supposed to possess him.

Those present never address the doctor by his name, but that of the one said to control him, who, by his manners and language, is known to some among them. They answer his greeting with courtesy, and try to please him by all means in their power,