San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-24

X,
brother, who cared for his wants with
piOus zeal. Jan-ila-or johnnie" as
Eric was fond of calling him-slept in
one of the smaller rooms. his master Ill
another, while the larger apartment
served as a general office, dining and
council room. Jan was so apt pupil that
he outstripped both Kulcan and Ik1apel
in his knowledge of mechanics, arts and
language under Eric's tuition, and of
modern ideas he was most eager in
biber
All of Gilbert's reforms and improve
ments had been accomplished without
in any manner usurping the functions
which Iklapel exercised pending the
election of new governor. He had al
most entirely left his priestly duties to
Kulcan, who performed them with a
laxity born of increasing distrust of the
efficacy of the religion of his fathers.
This the crafty Chalpa had observed, and
he used it a. a preteXt for fomenting the
fears of tie priests. He painted in
strong. fervid colors, and with potent
logic, the decay of their ancient faith,
the downfall of priestcraft and the loss
of their fat llvings. He so wrought upon
their fears at every opportunity by
these forceful pleas that he had already
formed a fairly strong following.
Familiarity with Eric had lessened
their awe while it had increased their
admiration of him. They were already
willing to abandon their belief in his
divinity, and were beginning to realize
that instead of a being from another
world he was a man like themselves.
The events which now occurred aided
Chalpa's plans and strengthened his po-
sition as candidate for the governor
ship. Both Iklapel and Kulcan were
aware of a growing feeling among the
priests in favor of Chalpa's candidacy,
but they did not believe that he could
gain adherentS enough to affect the re-
suit of the election, which was to occur
in the early spring, week before the
feast of the Katun. Eric and Iklapel had
determined to divest this feast of its
horrible, sacrifcial, murderous char
acter, and the old priests powers were
all bent in this direction while he left
the eleCtiOneering to Kdlcan.
All of the younger priests could be
counted upon to favor his advanced
views, but only few of the elder could
be expected to depart from time hon
ored and powerfully potent religious
custom. While only few of them had
witnessed the last Katun feast, tifty-two
years before, yet the barbaric rite had
many firm adherents. The subject had
been approached at great tribal meetings
in the circular estufas, but it had been
handled so carefully that even Iklapel
could form no opinion of the strength of
the new movement.
The blast furnaces had proved sue
cessful; men were even now grinding
the new axes to an edge with intense
eagerness and satisfaction. and every
one of Eric's castings had turned out
perfect, much to his delight. 1t was
mldwlnter before they were finished,
and his assistants had worked indoors
and converted one part of the great tene-
ment into a huge factory, where the
crash of hammers upon anvils filled the
air with cheerful din, and the great,
dim room, with its cObwebbed rafters
black with the smoke of ages, was peo-
pied with grimy figures hurrying here
and there in the glare of the FORCES. In
quisitive, curious Atzlans crowded about
the doors, wrapped in their blankets and
furs, and cheered their fellow citizens.
who worked not for wages, but for the
benefit of their kind, under the tutelage
of the strange visitant from the skies
Great things were prophesied for Atzlan
in the coming spring by the gossips of
the city.
One cold night Eric sat at his rude
table, while Jan-ila lay stretched on a
pile of furs before the fire, with his back
to it, like lean dog, when Iklapel en-
tered the door. The old priest was en-
veloped in Colored blanket, and as he
removed his fur head covering and seat
ed himself upon one of the benches by
the wall he said:
The geese fly fast and thick to the
north. The spring will come early"
ut will be welcome" replied Eric.
AYE, and by none more joyfully than
me-" answered Iklapel.
let IL Will De stormy, spoke up Jan
ia; more stormy than ever spring wa.
before in Attain"
How do you know that?" asked Eric
with gentle smile. Where did YOU
gain your weather wisdom"
81 have heard much" he answered
sitting up, land have held my tongue
because it is not meet that boy should
speak before his father, but know tina
Chalpa fears that there will be no Katun
and he talks daily to the priests an,
sometimes to others as well. He is plot