Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-03-30

ture writing, amalig which Eric found
representations of elephants, lions and
camels. distinctly and carefully drawn,
animals of which Iklapel had no con-
ception whatever beyond these rude out
lines. There were boats delineatod
there somewhat resembling the one be-
fore them, and figures in costumes re-
scmbling those in the early Toltec
manuscripts. Temple fronts and houses,
war chariots with prancing horses. and
most wonderful of all battle scene,
in which clouds of rolling smoke and
curiously carved tubes belching flames,
moving down whole rows of men. were
depicted with rare skill. IT would have
stood for a rude picture of modern
field of war.
1t was with wonder and alnaxement
that Gilbert studied the strange pic
lures. undoubtedly relics of long past
age, for he was convinced that the
priest had no knowledge of their import
and meaning; in fact the characters in
which the records We're written upon
them We're with few exceptions unfa-
miliar to him, they having been super
turesqe method in later times. In these
characters he found many resembling
those of the Maya alphabet, but more in
the nature of pictorial representation.
These We're similar to the characters
upon the slab of bronze, and there
flashed across his mind memory of
PlatOS statement-that the people of
Atlantis engraved their laws upon col
umns and plates Of bronze and gold.
Could il be that this was one of those
tablets
While he was occupied with these
thoughts the old priest brought quaint
Iy carved cedar box, and removing its
cover disclosed double handful Of
roughly cut gems. the great value of
which Eric disCerned at a glance. He
examined them with appreciative eyes,
finding among them several diamonds of
the size Of hazel nuts and many fine
rubies and emerald5.
These" said Iklapel, "came from the
far south; they are the seeds of the ser.
pent. Before he came and covered the
world with clay and stones and water
there was none Of these on the earth;
no man had seen them before. Such l.
the tradition. The people of Atlantis
had no such shining stones. but they had
stones such as this banding Eric an
oval of caruelian, with hattened sides.
Carved on one face was an intagiO,
finely executed, representing pvr-
mnidal mountain. with Il city surround
ing It's base, evidently a picture of the
fated city. Around the edge was Il
border of small characters in the ancient
writing. On the reverse side was cut
the CruX Arsata, the mystic Tau, the
sacred symbol of the Phallic god Of the
Old world, which has puzzled the savants
for ages.
What treasure" thought Eric, "tD
lay before the scientists of the country
and what deal of discussion it would
arouse"
There was nothing more TO be seen
and with glance around the room he
took up his light and followed Iklapel
up the ladder They had spent several
hours i'll the vaultlike place and found
kulcan above waiting for them. He
looked anxious and moody. and catching
Gilbert's eye mOtioned to him 10 follow
him. The young priest led the way
silently, yet casting quick, cautious
chances about him, to the large gate,
and when they We're outside, almost into
the piuon orchards. lie turned u Eric,
and after Il moments nervous hesitation
he began, Did my brother ever gambler
"Well,' replied Eric, with Il smile,
eve played the game my people cali
poker many times, I'm sorry 10 say
too many times in fact--and I've tried
faro also once or twice, with poor re-
suits -
But" interrupted kulcan, did you
ever allow yourself to be so carried
away with the excitement of these games
That YOU forgot Your dutyto your sisters
and brothers,
no. answered Eric. "but | have
seen many men lose their heads and
gamble away all they owned
"Then,' said tine priest, you will un-
derstHud. | must confess to you, my
brother. and burden you with miscr-
able tale-a tale of grief and shame,
cannot look you in the face, but | must
lcH You. W nave, DIS You nave seen, Il
game called titlaca-mcaninS the UNI
known, unkuowable-a game of NUM-
bers. All, how can tell you: You will
de>piae met
"Gio on, said Eric, who surmised what
was coming, although he did not guess
its full meaning
The younger priests resumed kul-
can, have always played this game
among themselves, as do all our people
but | had always by Iklapel's advice
avoided il, and knew not even how il wa,
played until IL year ago. Then III an
evil hour | ventured II wager against
Chulpa's game, and | won sixty silver
taos. Elated by my success and mag
ming myself to be bles,ed by fortune.
tried again and won. But the next even
ing ! lost all that had won, and in The
endeavor to reclaim it | parted with Il,
much more. did not feel willing u
stop then, but was eager 10 get my OWL
money back. Then | said would nevel
gamble again, but before had succeed
ed | had become IL victim to the habit