Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-08-13
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD.
4 Strange Story, Taken From Manuscript Re.
qucathcd by an Old Mexican Indian to His
Friend and Comrade, an English
man Named Jones.
Copyrighted, 1894, by H Rider Haggard.

CHAPTER XVIIL-CoNTINUED
Two more days passed, or so we reck-
oned by the number of meals that were
brought to US, but neither Tikal nor
Natal returned to visit us. Other doc
tors'came and saw Zibalbay, but, though
they tried many remedies, they were of
no avail. On the night of the second
day we were gathered round his couch
watching him and talking together sad
ly enough, for the solitude and dark
ness and the fear of impending death
had broken our spirits so that even the
senior ceased to be merry, and the pres
ence of her beloved to give comfort to
Maya.
1t was just then that looked up and
saw Natal standing in the doorway.
watching the scene curious1y and with
a softening face.
Directing" he said, ''and forgive me
that come so late, but my business is
secret, and such as is best done at
night. How does it go with Zibalbay?"
He lives" l answered.; 81 can say no
more, for he is senseless, and. without
doubt, soon must die. But come, see
for yourself"
Natal walked to the bed and ex-
amined the old man, lifting the eyelids
and feeling his heart.
He cannot live long he said.
well, death is his best friend. And
Low to my business. There is trouble
in the city, and strange rumors pass
from mouth to mouth among the peo-
pie, many of whom declare that Tikal
has murdered Zibalbay, and demand
that you, lady, should be brought be-
fore them, that you may be named
cacique in his place.
Things being so, it has been urged
upon Tilkal by the chiefs of his party
that, as he will never clear himself of
the death of Zibalbay, it would be well
that he should make away with you
also, lady, and with these two stran-
gers. The matter was laid before him
at secret council held this afternoon,
and once he issued the order for your
deaths, only to recall it before the mes
senger had left the palace"
Now he paused, and Maya asked, in
low voice:
Have you no plan to save us. Mat
tai?''
why should 1 have a plan, lady,
who with my house would benefit so
greatly by your death?"
81 do not know why you should have
plan, old man." broke in the senior,
but tell you that you will do well to
make one, else you do not leave this
place alive" and as he spoke with a
sudden movement he sprang between
Natal and the door.
IF we are to be murdered like birds
in a cage" he went on, lat least your
neck shall be twisted first. Do you
understand?'
II understand. Son of the Sea- an
swered Natal, finching little before
the senor's fierce face and hand out
stretched as though to grip him. But
would have you understand some
thing, also; namely, that if I do not re-
turn presently, there are some without
who will come to seek me, and then"
s'And then they will find your carcass. -
broke e the senior, land what will all
your plots and schemes advantage yor
when you are a lump Of senseless
clay?"
Little, indeed, I confess" he an
swered. 'Still, my daughter, whom
love better than myself, will reap some
profit, and with that, in this sad case,
must be content. But, do not be SO
hasty, white man. 1 asked why should