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The confusion was indescribable and continually increasing in violence, Wild soloists rushed about dancing and krissing themselves; the air seemed to bristle with kris-blades. One man streaming with blood from many self-inflicted wounds pranced furiously among the ecstatic litter-bearers. Another supporting his chest on his kris blade, the hilt planted in the ground, danced round on it almost prostrate, like some orgiastic flapping bird. And all the while the gongs beat wildly in the midst of the tumult. Sometimes men were trampled under the litters, and had to be dragged out by the assistants, who now began to move about, sprinkling water and removing daggers.

At last all had passed unsteadily with their litters into the inner court, guided through the narrow gateway and down the steep flight of steps. The Redjang followed, and the crowd began to move off home. Soon the most unyielding of the possessed daratans had been restored in the darkening inner court by offerings and water, and sat eating together on a bale-bale (table on covered platform). Some of the older women began a Mendet round the. table of offerings, and then in the dirk court the twelve Redjangs formed in file and very slowly danced round the principal altar, led by, the older women. There was a wild, rather unfriendly atmosphere, very unusual in Bali, and one left feeling that one had already outstayed one's welcome.

One traveler who rode over the mountains from the northern port of Boeleleng nearly twenty years ago, before the eruption had driven the village of Batoer to sprawl withtin roofs over the ridge where now the high road runs, saw a great host of warrior dancers glittering in the evening sun far below, as they performed their splendid ritual. Even now, diminished though they are, their shining garments, the fierce ardour of their warrior faces the vigour and precision of their beautiful and complicated dance- figures, the challenge of their rippling battle-cries give their performance a moving and evocatory power which one seldom finds in-the long series of slovenly Baris dances in other old villages. Here, too, were the Baris Dadap and Prsi, with their characteristic weapons, but more impressive than usual because of their splendid execution. All the dances were obviously directed with special intention towards the high altar.

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