Show singular practice of a fanatical sect to among alio people of northern new mexico it a fanatical called pan ien tc alou nig lent in cadi year anro Lor lorrilla rilly disgusting by inflicting bevere aiton alicy inny antone for dins committed during alio year flioy at tho beginning of lent go apart froia their follows and auyon alie mountains aind in alic deep canona tice downright cutting lawn ting and burning their ikjin and until alny fall ta inting from abid loss of lawil lI wil on good friday their orgies in a grand semipublic semi public ow wow alicy repair to their lodge or council leouise li ouise and at on appointed leour to a spot on i neighboring fiill designated by a largo crow what performances aro enacted within their lodge none but members of the society know as tho aro not admitted when they appear in public their costume if more scant than elegant c insisting of only a pair of cotton drawers and a covering for the head this covering is drawn down over the face ly preventing recognition their already backs are alien scanned and cut with flint knives usually ten or twelve slits each side of alio backbone bock bone each alion is provided with a whip made of cactus or spanish bayonet with aliey lah over the shoulders at each step tho end of alio scourge striking the spots already cut and gat had with the knives alio blood from tho wounds thus inflicted runs down and saturates tho cotton drawers giving alie bearers wearers a most appearance on arriving at the cross if thay are fortunate enough to withstand thu terrible punishment precedent aliey prostrate themselves with their faces upon the earth md lie for hours to the gaze of tho curious crowds attracted by alio exhibition it lias frequently happened that one moro fanatical than tho other is actually crucified on these occa siona liy being tied to the crofit nuu la art feet aciro arms and hands swelling almost u bursting bu rating by the strain of sup porting the weight of the body many arc said died with tah adf torture aither buforo being re moved from the cross or a or two after having been taken down with alie progress of civilization however this species of torture ia moro and more rarely practiced but it is oven yot no uncommon tiling to see penitentes traveling on good friday with kiugo wooden creases strapped to their backs their arm tied to tho crossbar and spears fixed with tho points resting on tho chiha so that the flesh may bo lacerated at any stumble or of the road they alao walk barefoot on roads prepared for the purpose by being thickly strewn with cactus and other thorn plant |