Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 109: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Seven Cities of Cibola lines, east, north, south and west, toward the yellow line—horizon—capturing all snakes with which he came in contact. For two full weeks this ceremony was held. At the end of that time there were plenty of messengers on hand. These snakes were placed in the kiva—the sacred chamber—free, but watched by Indian men, who herded them upon the dais with little feather brushes, with which they gently smoothed the head of any snake attempting to escape. At first Mercedes was nearly over- come with instinctive terror at the sight of so many snakes. Gradually this gave place to sufferance, and then to admira- tion of the gentleness of the Indians. She had not yet seen Indian nature aroused. - Ari-zuna alone of the women was al- lowed: to be present at the ceremony of the washing of the snakes, when each of the priests, forming in a great circle, plunged his hand into a great bag that was filled with twisting, writhing bodies, and dragged out the first that he grasped. These they thrust into a shallow earthen pan filled with water and then threw them violently upon the floor. The snakes promptly crept back upon the dais, where they were again soothed by men with feather brushes. Last of all came that really terrific moment of dramatic intensity when Mer- cedes, sitting on the dais attended by one priest, saw the two lines of priests of the antelope and snake clans form in column of two’s and move slowly past her to the droning roar of a great snakeskin drum and innumerable rattles that al- most drowned the hum of the priests’ voices. On and on they came, moving in per- fect time, till they reached the great jar that was alive with its squirming coils of venemous, poisoned death. Each man, as he passed it, thrust both hands into it, pulled out as many snakes as he could ‘hold and, thrusting their squirming bodies into his mouth, moved off still in perfect time to the music. That ended the mystic dance. At*that ‘time Mercedes saw only the horror of it. Later she found out what it-really meant and that each snake was an Hermes—a messenger between God and man. 95 HE was escorted to her room that night by-a group of girls and priests. When she had seated. herself, the girls formed themselves in a semicircle be- hind her. The priests sat cross-legged on the floor while the eldest spoke. At- tired in his leather kilt and his gaudy feather head-dress, his body streaked with white paint, he was an impressive figure as he rose and with a preliminary stamp of his foot to call the attention of all earth runners underground to the fact that a priest was speaking, he spoke: “You have seen, O Ari-zuna, that we still keep the faith of our fathers. “The antelope and the snake dance have been performed before you. “You have seen_our fleet young men gather up the earth-runners to take our prayers to the gods. “You have seen our maidens grind the sacred meal that they must scatter on our crops. “While you have remained away from your own place, O Ari-zuna, the sun has been less hot and our crops have not been scorched. We know that you can not stay long with us. “Before you go, we ask that you will, in person, spread the sacred meal on our grain fields; that the salt be scattered by your own hand. Will you do this for your people ?” Afraid to ask about the ceremony lest she betray her ignorance, Mercedes nodded. “Yes,” she said slowly. “What I can do I will do gladly for the people.”- A hum of approval rose from the crowd. When the blessing had been done by just the priests it meant much to them. Now a goddess was to do it in propria persona; Fruitful fields were ensured. “Tomorrow, then, at daylight, while the household fires still burn on the four houses, we will have the sieve of sacred meal brought along with the salt. The maidens will give you this and will show you the fields. As you know, no one can be present with you when you cast the meal. For three days, at dawn and sunset, you must walk around the fields of the temple from left to right, casting the grain over the left shoulder as you go.” a Very early in the morning, while it Ccomicbooks (©)