The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-03-13
CHAPTER XVII
IS CURSE OF ZIBALBAY
ITO BE Continued

IT, arou |. feeling my life whole in
M.
~ as been near to us" said the
SCI - something between a sob
AMI l~--h. as we followed Zibalbay
an / nto the guard house.
>oaysr 5 we were in the door was
shut ura1 IS. leaving us alone. Zibal-
BAY So himself down. but the rest of
rs stood together near the door listen
inc 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 our lives for awhile,
for which we owe you thanks, p" said
the senior to MAYA presently, but tell
Us. what viii they do with us now?"
i cannot say" she answered, but
in this pyramid are chambers where we
shall be hidden away until our day of
trial. At the least l think so, for they
dare not let US out among the people. lest
we should cause tumult in the city"
Before the words had left her lips the
door was opened and through it came
Tilal. Natal, and other of the great
lords that were hostile to Zibalbay.
'What would you now of US, traitor?"
asked Zibalbay.
swe~ed Tikal sternly "You and the
others and. with low bow to Maya,
Forgive me. lady. that l must exercise
this violence toward you and your
father, but have no other choice if /
would save you from the vengeance of
the people"
1t Is not the vengeance of the peo-
pie that we have to fear, Tikal," she an
swercd quietly, but rather your hate"
(Which it is in your power to APP
pcase. lady" he said in low voice.
1T 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
us"
AS YOU wish, he said. Follow me-"
and he led the way across the guard
house, through a sleeping chamber of
the priests that was behind it. to the
further wall that was hidden by cur
tain.
This curtain on being drawn revealed
a small stone door. beyond which lay
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 vaulted place.
: ], 1,o cosI 81,
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 a couch, flung
himself upon it and buried his face in
~. l,.- l..
Maya followed him, and, bending
down. strove to comfort him. but he
waved her away and she came back to
us.
This is q gloomy place, said the
senior in a half whisper. for here one
scarcely dared to speak loud because of
the echoes that ran about the walls,
"bu: dark though it is. it seems safer
than the summit of the pyramid. where
sword points are so many" and he
pointed 20 a little cut upon his throat.
1T Is safe enough Maya answered,
with a bitter laugh, land safely viii it
keep orr 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 overtabe us in the shadow"
Nv nat must be must be" answered
the senior with a sigh, but for my part
l hope shat the worst Is past and that
they viii not kill US. 1t was your
fathers rashHeSS brought these
evils on Us, and perhaps misfortune
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 rs look Al our prison.
for have never seen it till this hour"
and. taking one of the hand lamps that
stood near, she walked down the length
of the hail. At its further end were
gates similar TO those by which we had
entered. and through them came a
draught Of air.
Where do they lcad?" l asked.
Il do not know" she answered: per
haps to the sanctuary by q 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 burying places of
priests, thousands of whom are at rest
within 1t. Now they are empty and de-
serted"
As we waISea back again 1 stopped
before a wooden door leading into one
of the chambers of which have spoken,
that stood ajar.
Let Us 90 in" said Maya. pushing it
open, and we entered to find ourselves
in a small room lined with shelves
packed. some of than with yellow and
some with white bars of metal.
Copper and lead" said the senior.
glancing al them.
Not So" answered Maya with a
laugh. ''but that which you white men
covet. gold and silver Look what is
painted above the Shelves" and she
held M the lamp and read: Pure
meal from the southern mines. set
part for the service of the Temple OF
the Heart. and Of the temples of the
east and west. OF gold-such a weight;
Of silvcr-Such a 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. Ali if only l
could see one-half of it safe across the !
how great might be nv fu-
bure and that of the people which
lived to SerVei