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18
MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL.
nnd ton miles—perhaps . may exceed tlie
latter. On entering the town, I soon per-
ceived o«r Rohookah friends, sent by king
Turn to assist in the palaver; among whom, 1
wu glad to notice Gov. War, or Jeamtuah. us
is his country nimo. Wo were obliged to
wait nt least one hour in the hot con lor thp
appearance nf the kiiiys nil rubbed their enrcasses
with great satisfaction. I declined the favour.
His Satanic majesty was now said to be wait-
ing for us. We accordingly began to descend
the other side of the hill, where no path ot all
existed except what was formed by a water
course. This we followed near half a mile,
often letting ourselves down several leet of
perpendicular rocks, supporting ourselves by
vines mid bushes, then nobbling over masses
of sharp stones, occasionally slipping into the
brook, and welling a foot or limb, and now and
then receiving a gentle hint from some over-
hanging thorn lo use more caution iu a place
so sacred. At length we overlook our priest
antl guide, the former seated under a rock
about eight feet square, set in one bank of the
rivulet, and slightly urched iu front, where
the priest was sitting. A small square rock
rests in the middle of the stream, on which I
had tho honour to be seated, and which, 1
believe, is always occupied by any one con-
sulting the oracle. I was then asked if I
wished to consult the grand devil in any mat-
ter: I answered no! that 1 only wished to seo
the place and shake his hand, that I might put
his name in the big book I was about lo send
to America. They now commenced their
incantations, slowly at first, but soon with
increased vehemence. After a proper time, a
lovv growl was heard under the rock. All
now appeared to manifest great joy and reve-
rence. This growl was interpreted (o me ns
a demand of my business. I stated it as before.
Whereupon another growl followed, which
wns a demand lo know what I had brought
bin. I practised the foolery until I satisfied
myself whence tin.' noise proceeded, and then
declined further intercourse.
It has generally been supposed by Ihe more
intelligent natives that some- man is concealed
under the rock, but it is not so. On first see-
ing the rock and position of the priest, 1
readily concluded that he, himself, was the
grand devil, and further observation confirmed
me iu Ibis conclusion. During the exorcisms
nr incantations, I watched (he muscles of his
chest and abdomen, and perceived their action
to be natural; but during the long deep growls
I perceived his chest slowly to contract, until
the noise ceased, and then the muscles acted
ns before. The devil had a wonderful faculty
of throwing malt urn in porno, as ouo short
growl formed throe or lour English sentences.
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