Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/591

Rh piece of cord or cane passed through the wound. Company after company thus comes forward to honour their goddess, till all are attended to by the smiths, who cut and pierce with utter carelessness or with merriment. The final sacrifice is now at hand. Men, with iron rods passed through their sides and meeting in front in shovel-like vessels, arrange themselves around the elevated portico, and just within the columns. Then, to give the description of Dr. Duff, “All the rest assemble themselves within this living circle. On a sudden, at a signal given, commence the bleating and the lowing and the struggling of animals slaughtered in sacrifice, at the farthest end of the portico, and speedily is the ground made to swim with sacrificial blood. At the same moment of time the vessel-carriers throw upon the burning coals in their vessels handfuls of Indian pitch, composed of various combustible substances. Instantly ascends the smoke, the flame, and the sulphurous smell. Those having the musical instruments send forth their loud and jarring and discordant sounds; and those who were transpierced begin to dance in the most frantic manner, pulling backwards and forwards through their wounded members the rods and