Still, their lives are yours to take or to spare, so keep them as your servants if you will," and bending down she issued a command which was instantly obeyed, for the men dressed like devils cut the bonds of the Ogula and brought them round to the back of the dais, where they stood blessing Alan loudly in their own tongue.
Then the ceremonies began with a kind of infernal ballet.

On the smooth space between them and the water's edge appeared male and female bands of dancers who emerged from the shadows.

For the most part they were dressed up like animals and imitated the cries of the beasts that they represented, although some of them wore little or no clothing.

To the sound of wild music of horns and drums these creatures danced a kind of insane quadrille which seemed to suggest everything that is cruel and vile upon the earth.

They danced and danced in the moonlight till the madness spread from them to the thousands who were gathered upon the farther side of the water, for presently all of these began to dance also.