The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-01-11
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII
THE CURSE OF zIBALBAY ..
Thankful enough was / to rise from
the ground, feeling my life whole in
me.
"Desth has been near to us. said the
senor with something between sob
and a laugh, as we followed Zibalbay
and Maya into the guard house.
So soon as we were in the door was,
shut upon us, leaving us alone. Zibal-
bay sat himself down, but the rest OF
us stood together near the door listen
ing to the turmoil of the multitude
without. Clearly argument ran high
among them, for we could hear the
sound of angry voices, of shouting.
"You have saved o71r lives for awhile.
for which we owe YOU thanks" said
the senior to Maya presently, but tell
us. what will they do with us now?'
II cannot say" she answered, "but
in this pyramid are chambers where we
shall be hidden away until our day OF
trial, at the least think so, for they
dare not let us out among the people. lest
we should cause a. tumult in the city"
Before the words had left her lips the
door was opened, and through It came
Tikal, Natal, and other of the great
lords that were hostile to Zibalbay.
"What would you now of us, traitor?"
asked Zibalbay. =
swered Tfkal stern1y. you and the
Others and, with low bow to Maya,
s'Forgive me, lady, that must exercise
this violence toward you and your
father, but. I have no other choice if
would save you from the vengeance of
the people"
cit is not the vengeance Of the peo-
pie that we have to fear, Tiial," she an
swered quietly, s'but rather your hate"
(Which it is in your power to APP
pease, lady" he said in a low voice.
ut may be in my power, but it is not
in my will, she answered, setting her
lips. "Come, cousin, take US to the
dungeon that you have prepared for
u.s." '..''
''As you wish" he said. "Follow me-"
and he led the way across the guard
house, through IL sleeping chamber of
the priests that was behind 1t, to the
further wall that was hidden by a cur
tain.
This curtain on being drawn revealed
small stone door, beyond which lay a
fight of steps and then came a gate of
copper bars.
Presently it had changed behind US,
and we stood in a vast apartment or
hall that was built in the heart of the
pyramid.
This hall had been made ready for
our coming, for it was lighted with
many silver lamps, and in one part of
it rugs were laid, and on them stood
tables and seats
For awhile we stood staring at each
other in silence. 1t was Zibalbay who
broke It, and his voice rang strangely
in the vaulGed place.
s'It is his hour now" he said, shaking
his fists toward the stair by which Tikal
had left us, "but let him pray that mine
may never come," and he suddenly
turned, and, walking to couch, flung
himself upon it. and buried his face in
his hands.
Maya followed him, and, bending
down, strove to comfort him, but he
waved her away and she came back to
'sThis is a. gloomy place, said the
scarcely dared to speak loud because of
the echoes that ran about the walls,
'sbut dark though it is, it seems safer
than the summit of the pyramid, where
pointed to little cut upon his throat.
':It is safe enough" Maya answered,
with a bitter laugh, ''and safely will it
keep our bones till the worlds end, for
through those gates and the men that
guard them there's no escape, and the
death that threatened us in the sun
shine shall overtake us in the shadow"
what must be must be" answered
the senior with sigh, ''but for my part
/ hope that the worst is past and that
they will not kill us. It was your
fathers rashness brought these
,icfN,
may teach him wisdom"
"Never," she answered, shaking her
head, "for they are right. On this mat
ter he is mad, as You, Ignatio, are mad
also. Come, let us look at our prison,
for Ishave never seen it till this hour"
and, taking one of the hand lamps that
stood near, she walked down the length
of the hall. At its further end were
gates similar to those by which we had
entered, and through them came q
draught of air. =
3, Where do they lead?" I asked.
Lido not know" she answered.; "per-
haps. to the sanctuary by secret way.
The pyramid is full of these chambers
that in old days were used for many
things. such as the storage of corn and
weapons and the buryingl places OF
priests; thousands of whom are at rest
serted"
AS we walked bacle again stopped
before wooden door leading into one
of the chambers of which have spoken,
that stood ajar. Il
'sLet us go in" said Maya, pushing it
open, and we entered to find ourselves
in a. small room lined with shelves
packed, some of them with yellow and
some with white bars of metal.
Copper and lead" said the senior,
glancing at them.
''Not, so," answered Maya with a
laugh, s'but that which you white men
covet, gold and silver. Look what is
painted above the Shelves" and she
held up the lamp and read: Pure
metal from the southern mines. set
apart for the service of the Temple Of
the Heart. and of the temples of the
east.and west. OF gold-snch weight;
of si3ver-such weight"
stared and my eyes grew greedy,
for here in this one room, neglected
and forgotten, was enough wealth to
carry out my purpose three times over, |
stored there by the forefathers of this
strange rust-eaten race. All! If only I.
could see one-half of it safe across the |
mountains, how great might be my fn-
ture and that of the people which l
lived to serve!
Perhaps you will win it after all,
1gnatio,". said Maya, Interpreting my
thoughts, .sbut to be frank, fear that !
you will gain nothing except sep
ulchre IN these gloomy vaults. !" i
After this we visited several cham-
.bers that were empty, or flied only
with the wreck Of mot threaten tapee-