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

For some few minutes we rested to recover
our breath, then we started forward again. In
s senior led Tepi by sn th s'ri hama may. @h HHs 9s'SS; w9 follow ssd
Iibalhay. supported by Molas and myself. At
hrst these two had run as quickly as the rest
OF us. but now all the fatigues and terrors that
they had undergone took hold OF them. so that
from time 70 time they were forced to stop and
that for five days they had eaten no solid food,
for II was Don Pedro's purpose to starve their
Doubtless he would have succeeded In this de-
sign, or in doing them to death. had II not been
for a Huantiiy Of 2 certain preparation Of the
ingredients. which they, carried with them.
Zibalbay had the secret Of this food. and It was
journeyed far across unpeoplcd wastes, for 40
wonderful are is properties that a piece no
stomach for twenty four hours. even when his
power Is taxed by work or travel.
On this nutriment they had sustained them
selves, to the amazement Of their captors, who
could not discover whence they drew their
strength; Still. 1t Is stimulant rather than a
Indian corn and devoured them.
that even when the sun sRone the gloom ae WAS
that OF twilight. Many sorts of huge and I'M
couth trees grew II 4, whereof the bopghs we're
ferns, or in places with long ~festoons OF gray
Spanish moss that gave them a very strange
Climbed creeper., some Of them thicker "sst than sree a
mans thigh; and beneath them the ground was
cfDlntu WIN pItsWOOuc0 DuSn, or with vast
brakes of a plant which the senior told me is
cultivated In English gardens under the name OF
Indian shot, that in Mexico attains a height OF
Slowly and with much toll we forced a path
through this mass OF vegetation. Now we were
aforementioned trees, now foot by foot we
must make our way between the stout stems of
ssS i%ai aHa ' oas d saS 1 PSrn P Sy I'll, fis'S SeoE TSFs
r roSt. 81 s cii6 Sfsi%o pisn Or Our So f Srsat t5siPPsd5 r in n. the
lratPd that maaSIIreleaa thIcEaf 81 xvhtok ,ka
stagnant atmosphere, laden with the decay OF
ages, choked and almost overpowered US, caus-
Ing the sweat 70 start from every pore.
Above us, hiding the sky, hung masses of deep
green foliage, beneath which we struggled on In
broken only from time to time 'Ibs By the t Rrunt Mns
or an ape, or by q distant crash, as some great
tree after centuries, Of life fell with a noise like
thunder 10 the earth whence II sprang.
This forest that seemed so destitute OF life was
peopled By millions OF Insects, all Of them ven
and ants black and red. t0rmented MS with their
bites and stings, till we groaned aloud in our
misery, then remembering our danger pushed
Thus two hours and more passed till reaching
2 little stream that ran through a ,ravine in the
feet and hands. Zibalbay sank exhausted upon
the bank, where brought him water in my
on a stone in the stream, suffering It to iow over
her feet and ankles that by now were swollen
MIN ant bites and bleeding from the cuts of
Presently she looked up and seeing the senior
stAhulng on the hank, invited him with a motion
asked. '"'
James Strickland"
james Strickland" she repeated. with some
difficulty. II thank you. James Strickland, for
insult, and because OF that deedI Maya Of the
Heart whom many have served, am your ser-
: fop should thank my friend, Don Ignatio."
he said, pointing TO me.
For q few moments she looked at me search
IhHn nj e
"fthank him also, but / thank you the most,
for your hand rid me- of that hateful man and
1t is early TO return thanks, lady" he said;
We are not out OF danger yet"
from that dreadful Hou ua. she a ansSe ssSfP al
most Inadvertently. since our hiding place Is
near. And how can they md US in this forest
As she spoke a faint and distant sound Eel
upon our ears, such a sound as might have been
made by a bell struck far away at night.
That is how they will find US, he said. spring
Ing 70 his feet. DO you hear, I~gnatioF The
dogs dogs have e hit our trail. Which way does our
Along the banks OF the stream"
Then we must 90 forward In the water" said
the senior 1t Is our only chance, for the hounds
cannot track US there"
Now We began TO scramble down the bed OF
ness OF Zibalbay would allow. Fortunately Il
not a broad stream, nor very deep; still
and twice, not daring 20 set foot UPON the bank.
were forcsd 70 swim the length Of the pools
|" men We ulu IN. terror, fearing lest they should Il
be haunted by alligators.
For sOmething over an hour We followed the
stream thus, mi suddenly Maya halted. saying
hat II We would gain the building where they
had dSelt We must leave the water and plunge
into the forest; BY now ne were exhausted; in
Iced, unless he were carried. the old Indian.
Libalb4y, could not have gone another mile; 30,
Notwithstanding the danger 81 setting foot upon
he land, on learning that the place was near
lnd that food was % DO found IN H. We hesitAted
10 longer, but again began 20 thread the bush.
Not more than 800 PAGES from the banks OF
ne little stream NE came upon q high mound
iensely oyergrOsn Stth trses. ketNesn the bOlss
which Appeared masses Of Gus Btons.
Thu ne PlAes g.sPea NbabAy. sL0ok