The sun., 1894-09-30
CHAPTER Mi.
MAYA DEsCENDs THE CryKyA.

One evening It was after we had left the for
est country and with much toll climbed tn,
that seemed to be boundless, we set our camI
ssm1nE soa 6i Of great Tn soes s that grew at
Zibalbsy's map as being the site OF an under ind m
ground reservoir, known as a cueva, whence In
the old days, when this place was inhabited. the
season from deep down In the bo wells OF the earth
That this particular cueya existed was proved
was plainly visible, ran through the ruins OF q
large large town whereof the population must once
his daug ghter slept here on their downWaPd iour. @
ney thew were spared the necessity of looking
for 1t by the discovery of a rain pool in the hoi,
fallen for weeks, after we had eaten and drunk
such water as remained in the water skins. we
fill the kins and give drink 20 the thirsty mules.
Accordingly we began to examine the rock y
NIL naii ana presently found a stone archwsy now
thorn bushes, which from its appearance and
position, we Judged 10 he the entrance to the
cueva, Having provided ourselves with an arm
fnl OF torches made from the dead stems OF a
variety of aloe that grew around In plenty. we lit
10 ind myseIf in cava VIZ ,,h.rs ,ne n.le
rious wind blew and sighed In sudden gusts that
almost extinguished our lights.
At Following 'h this cave We came TO hole or shaft
springs or pools of water This shaft of un-
known depth was almost il not quite as smooth
lowed by the hand OF man, hut the strangest
thing about IL was the terrible stairway that the
consisted OF a double row OF notches. eight or
ten inches In depth, cut in the surface of the
smart VI and down these notches he water car
Ilers must have passed for generations for they
were much worn, and n groove made by the feet
OF me men ran 10 The top OF this awful ladder.
III, Inc senor nndlng fragment OF rock let II fall
passed before faint sogai soid US that I i had
touched the bottom; What adreadfui placer
he said. II think that had rather die OF thirst
thsn attempt to go down IT,"
sun people have gone down in the past"
answer shs%eEed or MAYA hy for look this is where they
,,PeThaps they had rope TO hold by" said
hen was young man have descended
one made of tree trunks monkey poles they
are called -notched after the fashion and set
from side 70 side OF the shaft, but now il would
oe my DEATH for such places make me dizzy I"
here could take that road and i've. Tie mules
IS a pool where they can drink Tomorrow
Ihen We turned and left this cave OF the winds
ana ana were glad 70 be outside OF it, for the place
had an unh0ly look. and all the draught, not
wlthstandinR. was hot TO suffocatinn.
Iilbalbay walked 10 tho camp. but and the
Soon they grew weary OF this TASK and feIl to
talking as they watched the sunset which was
very beautiful on these lonely plains Presently
Pick me that flower, friend 20 wear ON INV
breast and she pointed tO a snow-white cactus
He climbed to the place and stretched ont bis
hand 70 cut the flower, when OF sudden heard
him Utter an exclamation and start back
yourself or cut your hand = lie made no an
sHer put MS eyes grew wide with horror and he
PoinIsa A. A. something gray that was gliding away
spot OF blo0d upon his wrist. Maya saw il alsO
A snake has bitten you :" she cried, In a voice
guessed what she vas about to- 10 40, SsiSsd his
arm with both hands and applied her 10 to he
wound DE Gisd 70 NFsAeh it fEss. bat Shs