San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-25

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when the name was heard.
That same morning Jan-ila, arising
and going forth for matutinal plunge
found E2]l of cotton cloth upon the
doorsiH. 1T contained white stone
with these words upon it:
Thou art God. cnd knowest they ha,Ne chosen
Leila for the sacrifice. Waken and spare not.
He hurried back to Eric, and the read
ing of the words gave the latter shock
which unnamed him for several min
utes as their dire meaning crept fully
upon his mind. He sent tor Iklapel and
Kulcan. The younger priest was horri-
fed and amazed.
Gould he dare" he cried. 1.-THE
fend! To wFeak such revenge! cam
not believe that be would do such an
act. Even he, reckless and cruel as he is,
would hesitate to bring euch a thing to
pass Has he lost his sensss?"
What do you meap? asked Eric "Of
whom are you speaking%
"Chalpa. the head of the council; he
who casts the lots and decides the fatal
dice throwing! Chalpa the cheat and
liar!" cried Kulcan, throwing his arms
up wildly, Il fear him not, the scoun.
drelly assassin
lklapel peered at the youth under his
shaggy eyebrows, the fire in his dark
eyes blazing somber and low.
docs my brother believe that Chalpa
can cheat; that he would dare to deceive
the other two judges, the whole city and
Nr-o+-"19"
-.-----.'
HUan cheat? Dare?" cried Kulcari. he
can, and he dare, and will face him
with the charge! My sister shall not be
the sacrificed"
NO" said Eric quietly, "she shall
not, even if Chalpa has to be taken off
to check his too pious zeal. don't want
to kill him, but certainly shall if he re-
solves to sacrifice her"
Yes, you are right" said the old
priest. What can we do?"
1--WE must get Leila here and keep her
until we can arrange matters" Eric re-
piled SHE must come tonight, for she
will be safe here. could defend this
house, with Kulcan and JAMS help,
against thousand AtZlans."
1--WE will go for her at once" cried
Kulcan excitedly. Come, Jan-ila"
mo, not now-not in daylight-they
will suspect" cried lklapel. I'VE must
prevent an open conflict; we must win
by peaceful means if possible, unless he
makes the announcement this afternoon.
In that case we must resort to extreme
measures"
They dispersed. Eric and Jan-ila imme-
diately prepared for siege, filling the
windows with slabs of stone to resist ar
rows, and provided food and water
enough for several days use. Iklapel
stationed himself at the temple to send
the news if the announcement was made,
while Kulcan guarded Leila.
AT sunset Iklapel's messenger came.
Chalpa had announced that Leila was to
be the Katun sacriice-the news was in
everybody's mouth. Eric sent Jan-ila to
Leila at once and kept guard at the house.
His pistol was in his holster at his belt,
his rifle in the large room, while several
axes and spears-sharp and keen steel
lay ready for Kulcan and Jan-ila.
1t grew darker, and they did not ap-
pear. The city was strangely silent. He
could hear none of the usual evening
sounds. A deep, solemn hush hung over
all, and the splashing Of the river against
the powders came clear to his ears in
the falling shadow. He stepped outside
and stood before the door, and his tall
figure was outlined darkly against the
light within. He had almost resolved
to desert his post when he deserted two
figures approaching, one of them appar
emily Iklapel. He walked toward them
and noticing that their blankets almos
covered their heads stopped short ant
peered into their faces as they came ~
| to him.
The STOPPING figure, so like Iklapel il
its mimicry, Strengthened up before hin
suddenly, and at the same instant h
grip and thrown to the ground. H
struggled to release his arms and draw
his revolver, but his assailants had III
creased in numbers. A gag was force
into his mouth, and his arms were boun
behind him. He was allowed to Ii
there for a moment, and then the
raised him to his feet He saw that h
was surrounded by a number of men i
priests robes, but it was too dark t
recognize any of them. He looked i
vain for Chalpa's face, but the prizes
was not visible. One of the band wer
into his house, and bringing forth til
candle led the way into the pinon o,
chards, the rest following with Eric
who, resisting sullenly in unayailin
self censure, was carried bodily.