San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-17

lily IIlelt hDON lCuSC VI tCtCu OJllGI > IAN
guage, which was afterward followe
up day by DAY until Gilbert had mas
tered the Atzlan tongue, and Kulcan
had acquired fair knowledge of Eng
lish.
This was the beginning of their friend
ship, afterward to be tested bya terrible
trial.
After Gilbert had disposed of his
breakfast of fruit and several delicious
cakes of waiavi, and lighted his pipe,
his mind reverted to the instruments,
camera and other articles which he had
left at the top of the cliff Motioning
Kulcan to follow him, he went down }
the court and out beyond the city, and
led the way up the cliff path.
Kulcan followed him, with fear in
his heart that the stranger was leading
him away to some remote cline or
heavenly dwelling, he knew not what,
but he feared equally to disobey.
1t was long, hard climb. More than
two hours elapsed before they reached
the top. and Gilbert found it far more
difficult task than the descent had been.
On arriving at the spot where the bal
looms slight cargo had been thrown out
he selected such articles as would not be
liable to injury at the hands of the in
experienced Atzlan, such as the field
glasses, quadrant, ETC., and gave them
to him to carry. He took them with a
superstitious and very apparent fear
and misgiving, but wds treasured at the
sight Of Gilbert's smiling face. The lat
ter carefully carried the camera and
Photographic plates, the case of surgical
implements, the barometer and the lit
tie battery with the electric light, wrap
ping them in the blanket for safety, and
again led the way, Kulcan following
with pleasurable alacrity.
Gilbert was rejoiced when they arrived
at the temple without an accident to
their precious freight and deposited it
upon the floor in safety. He noticed
Kulcan's curious gaze wander over the
glittering objects with awe and specula-
ton, and taking the fieldglasses held
them up and mOtiOned to him to look
through them. He did so, and started
back in pale terror as he saw the giant
cathedral spires loom up Immediately
before him; but the wonder of it and
his intense curiosity soon overcame his
fear, and he gazed long and rapturously
through the cleaning tubes. turning
them in different directions in simple,
childlike amazement.
When Gilbert, who had observed the
stone implements in the city, and sur
missed rightly that iron was unknown,
slipped the channels covering from the
polished steel Ratchet and handed it to
the Atzlan, he took it with tender, al
most reverent, touch, for he recognized,
from its shape, its use and purpose. His
eyes moistened as he'felt the marvellous
keenness of its edge, but he did not
realize its true value until Gilbert, with
one quick stroke, severed a piece of
cedar firewOOd at least three inches
thick and rapidly split it into pieces.
He gasped with establishment, which
grew into positive terror, as Gilbert
lighted the wood with match and held
it alOft while it burned Gilbert showed
him several more such wonders, and it
was afternoon before Kulcan left him,
and repairing to Iklapel related the
marvellous dOings of the god. The old
priest listened with smiles and mods,
for he felt that the younger must
acknowledge the force of his prophetic
utterances Of the previous day, and then
went himself to Gilbert's lofty lodging.
Entering the room as Gilbert was
busted in arranging his effects in a suit
able and convenient disposal, the latter
saw at once that his visitor was blind,
and rose to offer him aid, which was
cOurteously and with priestly dignity
declined with words of deprecating i'm
port. GilbeIt stood before the old priest,
and with practiced eye discerned that
he was atfli ted with a mild form of cat
aract, and he decided that its removal
would be hi first care.
Seating the old man he gently touched
his eyelids, and the aged priest realized
that the god was about to exert his
power. Gilbert took some chIorOform
from his little medicine case and applied
it with his handkerchief While the
priest was under its deathlike influence
he deity and rapidly removed the dire
hindrance t. his eyesight ere he reco~.
cred consciousness and bound the hand.
kerchief over his eyes to exclude the
now fading light Of day.
When the Old man recovered he strug
| gled to his feet, and feeling the bandagc
attempted to push it from off his eyes
but Gilbert gently restrained him, anC
he instantly comprehended his meaning
he knew that something had been don
to restore his vision, for he could 500
! light through the folds of the linen, an,