Children of the neighborhood, and even grown-ups, began to assemble around the wagons. They stood at a distance. A mother warned her over-curious little boy:
"Don't go too near, dearie! Gypsies steal children."
As the woman spoke two little boys of the tribe climbed out from one of the camp wagons.
"Look at these white children!" exclaimed several people.
"Surely, stolen children."
The features of the children were distinctly of a Roumanian cast. A young gypsy woman followed the little ones to a tent.
From inside the wagon broke out a loud cry that was drowned in the wails and groanings of the people in every wagon and tent. The curious throng assembled about the camp now widened the circle. The gypsy litany of the dead was officiated.
In funeral rhythm the dead one's virtues were enumerated one by one, while others made incantations to chase the evil spirit.
"Leave us! If thou hast come through the chimney, leave through the chimney; and if through the door, evil one, leave the same way!"