It looked like the interior of some great Gothic cathedral at night, and the few twinkling lights that were scattered here and there made the shadowy outline just visible to me.
I asked one of the bystanders what this might be, and he told me that it was the Mista Kosek, which means the "Feast of Darkness," from which I gathered that they were about to celebrate the advent of the dark season with a feast.

From what I knew of their character this seemed quite intelligible, and there was much beauty and taste in the arrangements.

All were industrious and orderly, and each one seemed most eager to assist his neighbor.

Indeed, there seemed to be a friendly rivalry in this which at times amounted to positive violence; for more than once when a man was seen carrying too large a burden, someone else would insist on taking it from him.

At first these altercations seemed exactly like the quarrels of workmen at home, but a closer inspection showed that it was merely the persistent effort of one to help another.
I learned that the feast was to take place as soon as the hall was decorated, and that it would be attended by a great multitude.