y the
decorous Mission smock. Rezanov had that day sent them presents of
glass beads and ribbons, and in these they took such extravagant pride
that for some time their dancing was almost automatic.

But soon their blood warmed, and after the first dance, which was
merely a series of measured springs on the part of the men and a
beating of time by the women, a large straw figure symbolizing an
entire hostile tribe was brought in, and about this pranced the men
with savage cries and gestures, advancing, attacking, retreating,
finally piercing it with their arrows and marching it off with sharp
yells of triumph that reverberated among the hills; the women never
varying from a loud monotonous chant.

There was a peaceful interlude, during which the men, holding bow and
arrow aloft, hopped up and down on one spot, the women hopping beside
them and snapping thumb and forefinger on the body, still singing in
the same high measured voice. But while they danced a great bonfire
was laid and kindled. The gyrations lasted a few minutes longer, then
the chief seized a live ember and swallowed it. His example was
immediately followed by his tribe, and, whether to relieve discomfort
or with energies but quickened, they executed a series of incredible
handsprings and acrobatic capers. When they finally whirled away on
toes and finger tips, another chief, in the horns and hide of a deer,
rushed in, pursued by a party of hunters. For several moments he
perfectly simulated a hunted animal lurking and dodging in high grass,
behind trees, venturing to the brink of a stream to drink, searching
eagerly for his mate; and when he finally escaped it was amidst the
most enthusiastic plaudits as yet evoked.

After an hour of this varied performance, the square was enlarged by
several mounted vaqueros galloping about with warning cries and much
flourishing of lassos. They were the cattle herders of the Mission
ranch just over the hills, and were in gala attire of black glazed
sombrero with silver cord, white shirt open at the throat, short black
velvet trousers laced with silver, red sash and high yellow boots.
Four, pistol in hand, stationed themselves in front of the corridor,
while the others rode out and in again, dragging a bear and a bull,
with hind legs attached by two yards of rope. The captors left the
captives in the middle of the square, and without more ado the serious
sport of the day began. The bull, with stomach empty and