The Irish standard., 1896-01-18
CHAPTER Xxx.

On the following day the attendants
who set our meals brought with them
clean robes for each of us, scented and
wonderfully worked, and for Maya
certain royal ornaments In these we
arrayed ourselves before evening and
waited. The hours passed. and at
length the copper gates were opened
and band of mobiles and guards pre-
sented themselves before us, saying
that they were commanded to lead US
to the sanctuary.
We answered that nothing would
please us better, aud in a few minutes
found ourselves walking up the stairs
toward the crest Of the pyramid.
We reached it and saw the stars shin
ing above us and felt the breath OF
heaven blowing in our faces, and never
have the sight of the stars OF the taste
of the night air seemed more sweet to
me- Leaving the watchhouse we
walked to the great stair across the
lonely summit of the pyramid and be-
gan to descend it's side.
At the foot of the stairway we turned
to the right till we came to double
door of copper, beautifully worked,
built in the center Of the western face
of the pyramid and guarded by small
body Of soldiers, who saluted and ad-
mitted us.
Entering our guides went without fall
tering, turning now to the right, now
to the left, and now seeming to retrace
their footsteps, till at length they
halted to open a door covered over
with plates of beaten gold, on the fur
ther side of which lay the most sacred
spot, save one, in the City of the Heart,
that served the threefold purpose of a
l.-JJ NJ, "a
mobiles attended worship, and burial
place of the departed caciques OF the
city.
Here in this vast and awful vault,
each Of them set in his own niche,
stood the bodies of every king priest
who had reigned in the holy city, in
closed in cofiins of solid gold fashioned
to the shape and likeness of the corpse
within and having the name, age, date
of birth and brief account of the good
or evil that the man had done cut in
symbols on his breast.
For moment Maya paused to look
upon the bodies of her parents, then
with sigh and an obeisance she passed
on, saying to me:
See, this Hall Of the Dead is
full; there is no place left for
me or my descendants, and surely
that is an evil omen. ''Well," she added
with a sigh, what does it matter
where they set US when we are dead?'
Then we went on defling before the
silent company of the golden dead,
till passing through hall, we stood in
front OF little door over which burned
great lamps. This door was guarded
fby two priests with drawn swords,
which they pointed towards us a sign
that we should halt. Then the priests
who had escorted us so far fell back be-
hind, and we were left alone.
'sGive the sign, keepers OF the gate"
said Maya.
Thereupon one of the men with
drawn swords did SO, and after few
moments delay the doors opened and
we entered the sanctuary.
In front of the altar was an open
space, and beyond its circle, each wear
ing the orders of his spiritual rank, sat
the Brethren of the Heart, according
to their degree, to the number of thirty
six.
Led by Maya, we advanced into the
open space before the altar, and stood,
there in silence. At length one of the
brethren, he who sat nearest to the
door, rose, and, addressing Tilkal, said:
s'Keeper of the Heart, one who claims
to be OF our company stands before you,
and with her two for whom she vouches.
Be. e.pleased to prove them by the voice
of their sponsor, that their mouths may
be opened aud their prayers come to
the ears Of the council"
At his words two of the brethren
rose and blindfolded the senor and my
self lest we should see the sacred signs,
with all of which, indeed, was we'll
acquainted; but Maya they did not
blindfold. Then we heard Tikal ask
ing:
s.How are you named who are strange
to our eyes?" and the voice Of Maya in
our ears cautioned us to be silent. fs