``Having raised both his hands and prostrated
himself to render thanks to the god who
had taken out the `soul' of the fire, the priest
about to undergo the ordeal stood upon the
wet matting, wiped his feet lightly in the white
mixture, and while we held our breaths, and
our eyes almost leaped from their sockets in
awe-struck astonishment, he walked over the
glowing mass as unconcernedly as if treading
on a carpet in a drawing-room, his feet coming
in contact with the white hot coals at every
step. He did not hurry or take long steps,
but sauntered along with almost incredible
sang-froid, and before he reached the opposite
side he turned around and sauntered as
carelessly back to the mat from which he had
started.''

The story goes on to tell how the performance
was repeated by the other priests, and
then by many of the native audience; but none
of the Europeans tried it, although invited to
do so. Mr. Reid's closing statement is that
``no solution of the mystery can be gleaned,
even from high scientific authorities who have
witnessed and closely studied the physical
features of these remarkable Shinto fire-walking
rites.'' Many who are confronted with something
that they cannot explain take refuge in