Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-06

veloped in colored blanket, and as he
removed his fur head covering and seat
ed himself upon one of the benches by
tho wall he said
1.-The geese fly fast and thick to the
north. The spring will come early"
at will be welcome" replied Eric.
AYE, and by none more joyfuliy than
me-" answered Tklapel
yet it will be stormy" spoke up Jan
liza; more stormy than ever spring was
before in Atzlan."
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 that
Chalpa fears chat there will be no Katun,
and he talks daily to the priests and
sometimes to others as well. He is plot
ting mischief, for he walks abroad at
night, wolf that he is. All, he distrusts
me, and yet Jan-ila, the water rat, has
crept near enough many and many
time to hear his words of hate and
treachery! remember the look his face
wore on the day you saved my sister,
and know he hates and fears our Quet-
zal. Why | know not, except that he
hates all things good and loves darkness.
To-day as | was hunting along the
cliffs | heard voices, and walking softly
in the light snow came close to one Of
the old homes up there where no one
dwells. The voices were within, loud
and angry. | heard Chalpa speak. He
said that unless we had sacrifice we
could hold no katun feast; that he who
opposed the Katuh sacrifice was Il foe to
Attain and should die. Then there was
disputing, but he silenced it and de-
clared that the new governor must be of
the old religion-a believer in the death
gift and all old rites. He claimed that
he had many votes among the people
and the priests and could be elected, but
the people must be stirred up to pro-
claim their desire for great, glorious
katun, with beautiful victim.
"Oh, his words made my flesh creep
and my blood to boil. | longed for
Quetzal's thunder death that kills afar
off, but held my peace and crept be-
hind the rocks, for they began to come
| forth. There were twenty in there.
Agzai, Bella, Quastit, Rakki-pisk, Bart
zel-ai and Geia, the hunchback, We're
among them-the oldest of our fathers
and they silently went down in the
! twilight like murderers."
/ TT,Dr II osar Questioning u-boca
memory was very remarkable, repeated
the debate verbatim, and it was serious
enough to cause Iklapel and Eric to look
grave and anxious.
What can we do:' the latter in
CURED.
Old Iklapel gazed into the fire for sew
eral minutes, then answered:
Il am in doubt my brother. 1t is toe
soon to announce our plans or proclaim
our views to the people. They are not
ready yet. But Chalpa is gaining ground
can see that, and he can cause Us much
trouble. | know not what to do"
Kill him" cried Jan-ila. looking al
Eric. Kill him as you did the snake
and the great beast in the woods! Then
he will no longer trouble you"
In the midst of his speech Jan-ila
started and sprang noiselessly to the
door He peered up and down, across
the moonlit space between the house and
the river, and turning to those within
whispered;
Il heard a sound Some one was lis
tening at the door"
AS he spoke Eric saw a shadow pas;
the window on the other side. Iklape
had heard nothing, but Jan-ila was con
WINGED that some one had been spying
and that one he believed to be ChalDs
oimself. Iklapel soon rose to go, saying;
1T is near to midnight, and old men
need more sleep than young ones"
And wrapping his blanket tightly
sbout him started forth, declining Jan
is offer of his company.
TO BE CONTINUED