ll looked at me
and at Almah, and pointed toward the sun, which was wheeling along
behind the distant mountain crest, showing a golden disc. Then they
pointed to the dead bodies; and the hags took the Chief Hag, and the
paupers the Chief Pauper, and laid them side by side on the central
altar. After this a hag and a pauper advanced toward us, each carrying
the sacrificial knife which had belonged to the deceased.

The hag spoke first, addressing Almah, in accordance with the Kosekin
custom, which requires women to take the precedence in many things.

"Take this," she said, "O Almah, consort of Atam-or, and Co-ruler of
Clouds and Darkness. Henceforth you shall be Judge of Death to the
women of the Kosekin."

She then handed Almah the sacrificial knife of the Chief Hag, which
Almah took in silence.

Then the pauper presented me with the sacrificial knife of the Chief
Pauper, with the following words:

"Take this, O Atam-or, Father of Thunder and Ruler of Clouds and
Darkness. Henceforth you shall be Judge of Death to the men of the
Kosekin, and Sar Tabakin over the whole nation."

I received the knife in silence, for I had nothing to say; but now
Almah spoke, as was fitting for her to do, since with the Kosekin the
women must take the precedence; and here it was expected that she
should reply in behalf of both of us.

So Almah, holding the sacrificial knife, stood looking at them, full
of dignity, and spoke as follows:

"We will take this, O Kosekin, and we will reward you all. We will
begin our reign over the Kosekin with memorable acts of mercy. These
two great victims shall be enough for the Mista Kosek of this
season. The victims designed for this sacrifice shall have to deny
themselves the blessing of death, yet they shall be rewarded in other
ways; and all the land from the highest to the lowest shall have
reason to rejoice in our rule.

"To all you hags and paupers we grant the splendid and unparalleled
boon of exile to Magones. There you can have all the suffering which
heart can wish, and inevitable death. To all classes and ranks in
the whole nation we promise to grant a diminution in their wealth by
one-quarter. In the abundance of our mercy we are willing ourselves to
bear the burden of all the offerings that may be necessary in order to
accomplish this. All in the land may at once give up one-quarter of
their whole wealth to us."

At this the hags and paupers gave a horrible yell of applause.

"