The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 3: Acadia, 1611-1616
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 3: Acadia, 1611-1616
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
The sum and substance of it is that the Juggler hides a stick
in a deep hole in the ground, to which is attached a cord. Then,
after various chants, dances, and howls over the hole, and over the
sick man, who is not far away, of such kind that a well man would
have enough of it to deafen him, he takes a naked sword and slashes
it about so furiously that the sweat comes out in great drops all
over his body and he froths like a horse. Thereupon the spectators,
being already intimidated, he, with a frightful and truly demoniac
voice, redoubles his roars and threats that they must take care,
that Satan is furious and that there is great peril. At this cry
the poor dupes turn pale [83] as death, and tremble like the leaf
upon the tree. At last this impostor cries out in another and
more joyous tone: "_There is the accursed one with the horn: I
see him extended there at bay and panting within the ditch._ But
courage, we must have him all and exterminate him entirely." Now
the audience being relieved, all the strongest with great joy rush
for the cord to raise Satan, and pull and pull. But they are far
from getting him, as the Autmoin has fastened the stick too well.
They pull again as hard as they can, but without success, while the
Pilotoys goes, from time to time, to utter his blasphemies over the
hole; and, making as if to give great thrusts to the diabolical
enemy, little by little uncovers the stick which, at last, by hard
pulling, is torn out, bringing [84] with it some rubbish, which
the charlatan had fastened to the end, such as decayed and mouldy
bones, pieces of skin covered with dung, etc. Then they are all
overjoyed; wicked Lucifer has been killed. _Nepq. Nepq._ Stop, do
you see his tracks? Oh victory! You will get well, sick man; be of
good cheer, if the evil is not stronger than you, I mean, if the
Devil has not already given you your deathblow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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