The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1896-07-30

him all power, and me you must con-
demu to death or chains; next. you
must pardon him his breaches of the
law, the INV that he of all men was
bound to keep.
"Thcn you must hand over your treas
ures. the treasures boarded by your
forefathers for many n generation, to
these wandering thieves whom he has
brought with HIM, and lastly, you must
open your gates that have been kept
secret for a thousand years to other
thieves whom they shall lead here, to
whom, forsooth, you must give your
women in marriage that the race may
be increased. Say, will you do these
things, Children of the Hearth"
Now, all those mobiles who stood be-
hind TilSal shouted: "Neverl" and the
people bevond took up the cry with n
voice of thunder, though the most of
them understood little of what was
passing. Tikal held up his hand and
there was silence.
"You win not do thcm,' he said, land
base indeed were you had you answered
otherwise What, then, will YOU do?
Tell me, first, whom do you choose as
your ruler-my uncle, who now is mad
and would bring you to shame and ruin,
or me, VINO have sworn TO preserve your
| ancient laws?"
1--WE choose you, Tillal, Tikalr' came
he answer.
"a thank you. he cried. "But what,
then. shall be done with this old man
and those whom he has brought with
him TO spy out our secrets and to rob
| us?'
xiii them before the altar!" they
shouted. waving their swords.
Tillal thought for n moment, then
oil
these men"
| At his words hundred or more of
the mobiles, who evidently had been pre-
! pared to execute his orders, rushed at
us suddenly. AS they came across the
open space | saw the senor put his hand
to his belt, and said to him:
For the love of Cod do not strike,
for should you touch one of them they
will certainly kill us"
"That they win do in any case, but
as you wish" he answered. Then they
broke on us AS they came, all those
mobiles who had followed Zibalbay to
the crest of the pyramid gave way be-
! fore their rush, leaving the three of MS
and the lady Maya standing alone.
"Cowards!' cried Zibalbay, glancing
behind him. Then he drew his ma
chete, and with shout cut down the
foremost of those who assailed us--a
great noble. In another instant the
weapon was struck from him, and the
senior and were being dragged toward
the altar. followed by Zibalbay and the
! lady Maya, upon whom, however, our
assailants laid no hand.
"What shall we do with these men?"
cried TilSol again.
J And again the mobiles answered: xiii
them!"
Then they threw us down, and men
came at us with swords to make an end
| of us, which they would have done
quickly had not the lady Maya sprung
| forward, and standing over the senor
cried: "IIold!" in so piercing voice that
! they stayed their hands.
Listen, People of the Heart" she
said; would you do murder upon your
own holy altar, staining it with the
| blood of innocent men? You talk of
broken laws. Is there not a law in the
| city that none can be put to death ex-
cept after trial before the cacique and
| his council?. Have these men been tried,
and if SO, by whom? You say that my
| father, Your lawful ruler, is deposed.
! If that is SO. not Tilsal, but j, who am
his heir. rule in his stead, and | have
| passed no Judgment on them"
| Now, at her words there was muir
mur of mingled doubt and applause,
but Tillal answered her saying:
| Lady, you have appealed to the law
on behalf of these wanderers, of your
father and of yourself, and by the law
| you shall be dealt with. Tomorrow the
| judges shall be chosen and hold their
court here before the people,"
1T cannot be, Tilial," she answered
! calmly. There is but one court which
can try us four, all of whom are Breth-
rem of the Heart, and that is the Coun-
ell of the Heart sitting in the sanctu-
| ary, which assemblies on the eighth day
from now on the night of the rising Of
waters. Is it not SO, nobles?'
1T is So" they answered.
$50 be it," said TillGl, but till then
| must hold you in safe keeping. Will
! it please you to follow Natal, lady, and
you, my lord Zibalbay? Guards, bring
these men to the watch-house yonder.
and keep them there till come to you"
Maya bowed, and turning to the aud-
ience, said in clear voice: Farewell,
my people. five are seen no more you
will know that we have been murdered
by Tikal, who has usurped our place,
and 20 you leave it to take vengeance
for our blood"
| CHAPTER XVII
| THE CURSE OF ZIBAIBAY