Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/198

There stood the seats of the king and queen. The customary dancing was going forward in front of this seat. One woman danced alone, under a canopy supported by four people. Her dancing must have given great delight,—though it was not very different from that of the negro ladies, which I have already described—for all kinds of handkerchiefs were hanging about her, and a hat even, had been placed upon her head. The women danced on this occasion with each other, and the men with the men; some struck the doors and benches with sticks, others rattled gourds filled with stones, and the drums thundered with deafening power. They were apparently endeavouring to make as much noise as possible. Whilst this was going on, a figure was seen advancing with a scarlet hat upon his head, and with a great number of glittering strings of beads round his neck, arms, and body, which was naked to the waist, from which hung scarlet skirts. This figure, before which the people parted to each side, approached me, bowing all the time, and as he did so the whole upper portion of his body seemed to move in snake-like folds. Still making these serpentine movements, he stood before me with extended hands, I being not at all certain whether he was inviting me to dance, or what was the meaning of his apparently friendly grimaces, and his great black outstretched hands. At length he uttered, with other words, “per la bonita!” and I comprehended that all his bowings and bedizenment were intended as a compliment to me, and I made my reply by shaking one of the black hands, and placing within it a silver coin, after which we exchanged friendly gestures, and my friend made a serpentine retreat, and began to dance on his own account, receiving great applause from the bystanders. A great number of negroes were sitting on the benches, many of whose countenances were earnest, and remarkably agreeable. The Luccomees have, in general, beautiful oval countenances, good foreheads and noses, well-formed