Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-01-30

god, and issued decree that all those
who lived upon the mainland should be
brought within the walls Of the city, SC
that the white men might find none Ia
guide them thither This was done
then, and the spoilers sought in vain
for many years, till it was reported
among them that this legend Of town
filed with gold was but fable.
Now, however, great sickness took
hold of those who lived in the City OF
the Heart, because it was over full OF
men; so great q sickness, indeed, that
soon there was space and to spare for
all who remained within its walls. The
sickness went away, but as the genera
tiols passed a new and worse trouble
fell upon our forefathers. The blood
of the people grew old, and but few
children were born to them.
"There were none left upon the main
land to rcplenish the race, and this is
our law, law that cannot be broken
under pain Of death, that no man or
woman may leave our territories to seek
a husband or wife of different blood.
Thus, them 1t has come about that
the people have grown fewer and fewer,
wasting away like snow upon noun
tain top in summer, till at length they
are dwindled to few thousands, who
in hygone days could count their num-
Der by tens and twenties of thousands.
"But an ancient prophecy has come
down to us from our forefathers, and 1t
Is that, when once more the two halves
of the symbol Of the Heart are laid side
by side in their place upon the altar in
the sanctuary of the holy city, then
from that hour she shall grow great
again. Over this saying | brooded long,
and often did pray to that God whom
worship that might find that which
was lost, and save the people from
perishing
"At length voice spoke to me in o
dream answering my prayer, bidding
me TO wander forth from the country OF
the heart and follow the ancient road
toward the sea, for there, near to the
eastern shore, should find that which
was lost.
"Then summoned the Council of the
Heart and told .hcm Of my dream and
that purposs to obey it. But they
made mock OF me and said that I
might 60 If | wished, but that no man
Of the people should accompany me
across the mountains, for that was
against the ancient law.
ITO be short" continued zibalbay,
"since my heart was set upon this mis-
sion and my daughter yondcr, who is
willful, would not be gainsaid Of her de.
sire to accompany me, Tikal, my
nephew, was placed over the city to
rule as caciquc in my stead, until
should return again.
alone we crossed the mountains,
and alone, following the traces Of the
ancient road, we travelled through the
desert and the forest that lies beyond
1t, till at last we reached this secret
place
There isnoneed to tell the rest of the
talo, for it Is known TO you. Now, If 1t
pleases you, let us hear yours, and
learn what purpose led you and your
companion here in time to save us from
the grip of that white devil who lies
dead upon the stairway"
Then Ispolsc, telling to zibalbay and
his daughter the story Of my life, and
of my great scheme to build up again
that empire which fell in the day Of
Montezuma.
"Now you speak words tat are after
my own heart, said the old man; but
tell me, how is it to be done?n
"By your help" answered men
are here in plenty, but to use them
must have gold, whereas yonder it
seems, you have gold and no men.
Therefore | ask Of you some portion Of
your useless wealth. that by It's help | |
may lift up your people and my own"
Follow me to the city, and if | can
bring it about you shall have all that
you desirc' he answered. Nov,
lead me to my rest, for am
overwhelmed, not with toll and suffer
ing, but with too much joy
When he had gone the senior spoke to
me. "This is very WELL Ignatio," he
said, ''and most interesting, but just
now, as | may remind you, there are
lhings more pressing than the regcner-
ltion of the Indian race; for instance,
our own safety. Tomorrow, at the lat
sst, men will come to seek those villains
who lie yonder, and If we are found
iere 1t seems likely that we shall be
shot down as murderers, Say, then,
what do you propose to do?' !
81 propose, senior, that at the first
light of dawn we should take the mules
md ride away. The forest is dense and
t will be difficult to find us in II; more
'ver, two days journey will take us
beyond the reach of white men. Tell
ne, lady," ] added to Maya, who had
eturned from the chamber, do you
NOW the road?'
81 know the road" she answered,
but, sirs, before You take II, 1t is right
hat should tell you something.
"You have heard my fathers words
nd they are true, every one of them,
nut they are not all the truth, Hcrules
hat city of which he has spoken to you,
nut the mobiles there are weary Of his
ule, that at times is somewhat harsh,
lso they deem him mad. 1t was for
his reason that they suffered him to