Before this, they have all crowded round the fountain in the cemetery,
to bathe their eyes and faces in the water, which also has miraculous
charms. Then a procession is formed, and begins slowly winding its way
to the top of one of the hills: a long procession, consisting of
inhabitants, beggars, afflicted, and priests of the church carrying
banners, crosses and other signs and symbols. The scene is best seen
from the platform of the tower, where you may escape contact with the
crowd and enjoy the lovely surrounding view, listen to the surging
multitude on one side, and--rather in imagination--the surging of the
sea in the Bay of St. Jean on the other.
The object of this procession is a stake or bonfire that has been placed
on the summit of one of the hills. This is in communication with the
steeple of the church by means of a long wire--and the distance is
considerable. At a given signal a firework is launched from the steeple,
runs along the wire, and sets light to the stake. As soon as the flames
burst forth there is a general discharge of musketry, drums in the
fields beat loudly, the smoke of incense, mingling with the smoke of
gunpowder, ascends heavenwards, and the priests sing what is called the
"Hymn of the Holy Finger.
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