San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-03-01

up, anuIIIuny the UrapuOUr petIeu Uuu.
A dark form. and one which he did not
recognize sat in the doorway motion
less. Its back was toward him. He
raised the door higher; he could see no
body in the room. While he stood there
wondering, looking upward he saw the
opening in the floor above fill up with q
dark object, and he quickly closed the
trapdoor and held his head close under it
to listen. Not a sound reached him, but
after long interval he felt the door
move. He drew away from it and de-
scended the ladder. A pair of legs ap-
peared, and then the form of Jan-ila,
who closed the door after him. He had
caused no more noise than serpent in
all this time. Grasping Eric's hand he
whispered:
'lklapel was upon the roof, and went
to him; could have escaped down the
outside pathway, but | wished to return
to you, for you will need me- Aza the
Sleepy One guards Iklapel; Kulcan is
confined in Chalpas house, and Iklapel
fears that they will prevail upon him to
side with Chalpa after all. The people
are greatly excited and ready for almost
anything. kulcans attitude will inhu-
ence very many, and | think it well to
inform him of your safety. Aza could
be Influenced, | believe, to come over to
us and carry word to Kulcan, for he
Kulcan-will never weaken if he knows
you are alive. What thinks my wise
MASTER
Eric pondered awhile; he knew KUl-
cans weakness and shared Iklapel's
fear, yet he dared not depend upon Aza,
a tool of Chalpas, and one who might
betray them. He knew that the ele.
ment of surprise would be the greatest
factor in the next days work, and he
desired most Of all that Chalpa should
remain in ignorance Of his escape until
the last moment. Many plans came
to him. At first the thought of send
ing Listah or Jan-ila to Chalpa under
preteu>e Of submission came into his
mind, but he feared to lose the services
Of either in this crisis. Other plans as
weak presented themselves, were dis
missed, and then he thought of Leila.
He rapidly scanned his chances of get
ting to her Jan-ila informed him that
she was in charge of several old women,
the chief among them being old Bari,
Listahs wife, and by her help he fan
cied he could obtain access to his be-
trothed. The plan perfected, the next
thing was to act.
After unfolding his scheme to the 9TH
ers he exchanged garments with Jan-ila
and rubbed earth upon his face to darken
his complexion, and buckling his re-
vOlver upon him assembled the ladder
Aza still sat motionless, probably in a
sound sleep, in the doorway, but he eau
tiously and silently closed the door and
as noiselessly climbed the next ladder.
There were three stories to the temple,
each with its ladder, which creaked I'M
der his weight as he climbed them. On
the top at the sacred space wherein stood
the temple, he saw Iklapel standing mo-
tionless. The old priest seemed lost in
meditation, but he heard the sound of
an approaching visitor and yet turned
not until Eric laid a hand upon his
shoulder. Then he started, for he recog-
nized Eric, and grasping his hand cried:
''Ah, my brother! 1t gives me strength
and hope to see you, although ! knew
you were safe"
Eyes, safe, dear friend, and we will
crush this rattlesnake, Chalpa, forever
ere tomorrow's sun sets. am going to
send word to Kulcan to be firm and
yield nothing to Chalpa, and think we
are going to come out victors even more
easily than you expect. Chalpa is the
one man we need bother about. When
he is out of the way the rest may be
managed. But, old friend, you must
take some rest, for you will need your
strength tomorrow. 1t is now late"
Eyes, it grows late; but, see, the peo-
pie crowd outdoors; they will not 90 to
their beds; they cannot sleep"
Cali the better. | can pass among
them unnoticed, for am going to Leila
to send her to Kulcan."
sit is a dangerous Grand" said X
lapel
Not very Even We're | recognized
don't think any man would stop me:
carry many lives in my hand, Iklapel,
and they know it. But go to bed and
sleep, for we are safe"
He went down the broad, graded de-
scent and reached the ground unob.
served. There was nobody near the TEN,
pie; the priests We're busy preparing fol-
the festival on the morrow or about &c
seek rest. Farther on the people sat il
groups about their doors or upon The
lower range of roofs. Those among
whom he passed glanced at him. bu,
Jan-ila's blanket was close up about hi
oars and thaN did not rncncrr,izn linn II.