The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-23

Auu ntAT VI NENN VAsHtu utnSabn nl"s
OF one thing I am sure, that during ell III,
generations that are rome by no monk watchinl
here ever saw a stranger sight than that which
met my eyes. The chancel OF the chapel was II
up by shafts Of brilliant moonlight that poured
through the broken window. and by a lAmI
which stood upon the stone altar. Within tbs
circle Of strong light thrown by this lamp were
four people, namely, Don Pedro, his son Dor
Jose, an old Indian, and a girl.
On either side Of the altar then, as now, rosC
two carven pillars Of sapote wood, the tops Of
which were fashioned into the figures of angels
and TO these columns the old indian and the
woman were tied, one 10 each column,
their hands being Joined together at the
back of the pillars In such a manner as
to render them absolutely helpless. My
eyes rested first upon the woman, who was
nearest To me, and seeing her, even as she was
then. dishevelled and worn with pain and
hunger. with her proud face distorted by agony
Of mind and impotent rage, I no longer wondered
that both Molas and Don Pedro had raved
about her beauty.
She was an indian, but such an Indian as I
almost white. and her dark and waving hair
hung in masses TO her knee. Her face was oval
and small featured. and in IT, shone n pair Of
wonderful dark blue eyes. while the ~ciinging
white robe she wore revealed the lOveliness Of
her tall and DELICATE shape; ,.,n -,
man, her father, who was none other than the
Zibalbay. we had come to seek, seemed. even
thin and very tall. with white hair and beard,
hawk-like eyes, and %aquiline features, nor had
said that he looked like a king, His robe had
been torn from him, leaving him half naked,
and on his forehead, breast, and arms were
by a riding whip, that lay broken, at his feet,
It was not difficult to. guess who had broken
It, for in front OF the old man, breathing heavily
stood too T DON Jose tno per'p'rA''0n ''O" MS OfO"'
This mule won't stir, - he said to his father
70 see the old man Knocked about"
Then Don Pedro slipped of the altar rail upon
the woman. peered at her with his leaden eyes:
My dear" he said to her In the Maya
Language. this sight must grieve you. Put an
so much gold is hidden"
As with my last breath. daughter" broke In
the old man, IL command You 10 say nothing:
no. not II you see them murder me by inches
before your eyes"
"Silencc. you dog ~ said Don Jose, striking
him across the lips with his hand.
"Oh. that | were free to avenge you " gasped
the girl. as she strained and tore at the ropes
Don't be in a hurry; my love" sneercd Don
jose. walt n while and you will have yourself
speak. ! think we can find a. way TO make you
talk. only I do not want to be rough with you
unless am forced to 1t. You are too pretty.
much too pretty"
The girl shivcred, gasped with fear and hate,
and was silent.
What shall we try him with now ?" he went
on. addressing Don tedro; "hot steel or cold 2
Make up your mind. for J. am growing tired.
will your Now friend" addressing the Indian,
:" for the last time ask you to, tell us where is
s yoar t anaRRhte s9l IN 81 my soi fatS St Th hearing GSa spoke to
There + no such place. white man." he an
Indeed. friend. Then will you explain where
got those little ingots which we captured
from the Indian who had been visiting you. and
whence came this machete ?" and he pointed to
1t was a sword OF great beauty. rs ! could see
even from where we were; made not OF steel; but
OF hardened copper, and having for n handle n
figure with outstretchcd arms fashioned
In solid gold.
TT machete was given to me by a FRIEND"
said the Indian. lido not know where he got IT,"
Really" answered Jose with a brutal laugh:
!" perhaps you will remember presently. Here,
father. warm the point Of the machete In the
will you, while | tell our guest how we are
going TO serve him and hi daughter."
The tip. Of IL over The flame, while Jose, bending
whispered into the Indians ear, point
XII ,r fain t ! 20 to t hnrrd 70 f bsd s snnk W IN tho ov gr01nS
where she was huddled in a heap half hidden by
The masses of her hair.
burst from the bottom OF his heart, land is
None at all. friend" answered jose: we
IRE good fellows enough. but times are hard,
md we must live, As for the rest. we don't
oA''' - ."'s ."' hNoi" |
hat unbaptized Indian dogs have any right to
Justice. Now. once more; will you, guide us to
here as hostage for our safety 2"
Never" cried the Indian. " Better that we
ancient secrets OF my people should pass to such
$50 you have secrets after all! Father, is the
-. One minute more" said the old man. turning
he point in the flame.
This was the scene, that we witnessed. and
.hese were the words that nstonished our ears.
1T IL time to interfere, muttered the senior,
md, placing his hand upon the rail. he prepared
Now a thought struck me, and I drew him
Jack 10 the passage.
Are You going in there" asked Luisa-
"Certaiply," replied. I'VE must rescue
Then. sehors. farewell. / have done all I can
or you, and now the saints must he your guide,
or { / am seen they, will xiii me, and / have a
~arewell," and she glided away like a shadow.
Now we crept forward and down the stair. At
loped. stood ajar. For a moment we consulted
then We crawled forward through the
SS%% 5o 6SS Snd The flnE ID sM sS@t n nS2 IPs b ,hs rl''r'
Look up, my dear. look up" he said TO the
patting her on the cheek. II am about TO
ties OF the Christian religion by marking him
With q cross upon the forehead" and he ad-
,anced, the point OF the sword toward the In
Al that instant Molas pinned him from he
ma. causing MIN 10 drop the weapon. while /
I'D the same ONCE by Don Pedro, holding him
o that. struggle as he might, he could not stir.
MAKE q sound either of you and you are
cad" said the senior, picking up the machete
nd placing the hot point Of II against Jose's
.reast, where it slowly burned Its way through
lis clothes.
What are we to do with them p" he asked.
XIII them as they would have killed u.s."
answered AlOlas; or. II you fear the task, cut
pose the old man yonder and let him ayenge his
nd his daughter's wrongs"
What say you. IgnatiOT 2"
II seek no mans blood. hut for our own safety
Is well that these wretehes should die. Away
With them
Now bon Pedro began to bleat in his terror.
nd that hero, Jose. burst into tears and pleaded
or his life, w%rithing with PAIN the WHILE, for the
oint of the sword scOrched him.
You are an English gentleman" he groaued;
you cannot butcher a helpless man as though
e were an OK"
AS you tried 10 butcher us in the chamber
us, who saved your life" answered the
ehor. You are right. ! cannot do IL, because,
$ you say, am a gentleman. Molas, loose this
,og, and Il he tries TO run put your knife
him. jose Moreno. you have a sword
y your side, and | have one in my hand / will
q, murder YOU, but we have a quarrel, and we
i'll settle II here and now"
You are mad, sehor,"I said, to risk your
70 Vh,a .,.H,f uf1'lgV H. 49,