The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-07-13
CHAPTER H.
OUT or DARKNESS.

M ~ ID.
He disoOtered that nc orcrIooked the
~. great estlLta.
When they reached Listah's chosen
retreat, after threading the maze of the
many devious passages, the priest coun-
seled Eric to take some food and lie
upon his bed while he reconnoitered. Sc
Listah left him, and he laid himself
down on the rude couch. He could not
sleep, of course, for his mind was toe
agitated.
1t was now midday, as Listah had told
him, and little farther down the pas.
sage in which the old recluse had made
his home there shone one slim white ray
OF light from above, feebly illuminate hg
one little spot. He went to it and saw
a-srnall opening in the wall few feet
above his head. He stood looking directly
upward along the ray of light and saw
that it came through trapdoor in the
roof Of an apartment above.
Placing several large stones together,
he was enabled TO peer through the open
ing, and discovered that he overlooked
the great estufa, thu sacred council
chamber and secret room Of the Kabilo.
1t WAS deserted and dark, but his eye,
accustomed now to intense gloom, could
discern every feature Of the great room
into which he had never before pene-
trated.
1t was arranged like an amphitheater,
with a capacity of perhaps two hundred
people. In the center stood the hideous
image Of Chafcu, the god to whom the
fearful human sacrifices were devoted.
Barbaric and, rude, misshapen and ugly
as 1t was, the image awoke from its ter
rible, import a thrill Of momentary awe
even in his bosom. How many lives had
been given to this ancient idol; how
many fair Threats had poured forth their
virgin blood upon its affairs in the long
ages Of his dread reign? end. '.
The imae had been, he could see.
newly painted, and the gold and silver
upon it polished until " glowed in the
darkness with a semblance of life. Two
immense emeralds were its eyes. They
were. turned toward him and seemed
full Of dark fire, as though the god saw
him spying there. The effect of dignity
was lessened by the row of ancient but
very precious sea shells that formed the
teeth OF this terror Of Atzlan. They made
Its smile more terrible to it's votalies
PERHAPS, but to Eric they reduced the
gods dignity to grotesqueness This
element OF the grotesque grew upon
him as he gazed at it standing there.
solennly, like a Mardi Gras relic,
monument to the folly and the dsbase-
ment Of man. " '''' ''''"
AS he looked the light grew dim and
faded suddenly. A figure came down
the ladder; then another, and he saw
Chalpa and his assistant, Tepelpec, a
weakened, pockmarked villain, standing
before him by the side of the idol. '--
Chalpa examined it carefully and re-
marked: ,,y nv, .., .'...,
"He is dry now. We can take him
out and set him on his pedestal at once.
how handsome he looks in his new
dressr' i.li.... ". ..,t,,....l, ..,.,. |
He is delighted at the prospective.
Joined Tepelpec. 'Ill wager no,Katun
feast was ever graced by such a beauty
as Leila. The god looks hungry, too,
methinks." o." "'t '"'@ H''' ~
"Hai" calculated Chalpa. ..Fifty-two
years OF fasting would make even Chalcu
hungry. 1t comes all too rarely. this |
feast It should occur every twenty
years. But he will feast well and nobly, |
Is everything prepared?"
Everything, although the victim is
far from feeling disposed to: go. willing
~. She will not drink the sacred aitsi.
and fear that she will make us trouble
to the lastn e-..i -a .a',. o4I-, : 80
Perhaps" replied Chalpa with a grin
full of triumph and hate. ~ssBut 90 she
shall; quietly If she will, Or in our tender
hands if she is unruly. And the people
are they quiet, think your ;-a,...-.t
'"Too quiet, i fear there is a strong
undereurrent of feeling against this
sacrifice which only needs stirring ia
become an open protest. They seem to
think that you have taken some unfair
advantage of the. girl" As Tepelpec
said this he cast quick, sly glance at
h. superior. Co.. -. -
Chaipa started and glared at his as
sistant: go ~...,. ,-..sF7s =
What do you mean? Do you dare To
say He hesitated .....-.,e'-...s 80
Nothing, father, nothing, ionly-I
have heard word or two now and then
that. seemed ominous." .--gr.D.A .Asr.le-.I
BY Chalcu, would like to hear such
q world The lips that uttered it would
utter no more lies. And remember. keen
watch over your own tongue lest it slip
and lead you to destruction" -
81 speak to no one, answered Tepel-
pee, "but to you From you, think.
need conceal nothing. We, hope, un-
derstand one another. ], know, that You
nave long desired to be revenged upon
the girl, and that You would hesitate at .
nothing, ny master, to accomplish your
ends-eyen unfairnessr-. -
."You dogrI cried Chalpa, do you
1are to think that ] would cheat in this
solemn and fearful dutyY' ''''~ =,
fray talk not OF duty, dear father; {
here, alone, we need conceal nothing. / =,
Am not your slavel fear you not, and |
dare tell you that think you most {
ldmrable master of -trickery, one who
would steal the snakes fangs from him
without his knowing it. Believe me. I t
and lam proud to aid yon |
n your plans. "''~ lsI27s "a ,fL.ti IL :
Chalpa, pale with rage, sprang upon Z
ne smaller p -, seized him by the /
hroat ana shot, him as a terrier shakes '
rft.. Aee Ai1'.tae'S 'ISi.'"I1 SaGETEsl. = 7
miserable son Of a pOlecat, thy driv-
hngs ebespeak thee an idiot Ihaye. a +
aind to kill you now at JChalcus feetr' e
Tepelpecs eyes andYtongae were prof. v
riding whens Chalpa, cast him loose. ! v
nd he staggered fora few moments. IA
xii me, Cha1pa, I he cried, .aye, and
l ane hour 1.-THE people will know how G
on .swindied fthemi They. will see the a
rafty Chalpa In new light, as one who
'eks his private ends in their public n