The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-06-27
CHAPTER XVI.
ON TIE PYRAMID.

ON THE PYRAMID.
"Does not the city lie very low?" /
asked of Maya. when we had studied
the prospect on every side. ITO my
eye IL seems almost upon a level with
the waters of the lake"
II believe that is So" she answered.
Moreover, during those months OF the
year that are coming, the level of the
lake rises many feet, so that the island
is submerged and the water stands
about the wall"
How, then, do you prevent the town
from being fiooded?" asked the senior.
IF once the water flowed in the place
would vanish and every soul be
drowned"
Eyes, friend, but the waters never
rise beyond certain height, and are
kept from flooding the city by the great
sluice gate. IL that gate were 10 be
opened in the time OF inundation. then
we should perish, every one. But II
never Is opened during those months,
for, II any would leave or enter the city
they do 50 by means of ladders leading
from the summit of the wall 10 floating
landing stages on the moat beneath"
1T seems strange place 20 build
city" answered the senior. Il do not
think that | should ever sleep sound
during the months of inundation, know
ing that my life depended on single
gate"
''Yet men have slept safely here for a
thousand years or more she said. lie
gend tells as that our forefathers who
came up from the coast in ancient days
settled on the island by command of
their gods, choosing this hollow bed of
land TO build in, so that, rather than
submit themselves 10 foes. as their
fathers were forced TO do in the country
beyond the mountains, they could, IL
need were, food the place and perish In
the water.
"For this reason II Is that the holy
sanctuary of the namelcss God, the
Heart of Heaven, Is hallowed deep In
the rock beneath us, for the waters of
the lake would flow In upon IL ut
touch, burying IL and all its treasures
from the sight OF man forever. Now,
II you have seen enough, l Will take
you to visit the public workshops where
Ash Is dried, garments woven, and all
other industries carried ON that are nec-
essary 20 our comfort" and turning she
led the way with her ladies toward the
head of the stairs
As we drew near to II, however three
men appeared upon the platform, in one
Of whom ] knew Tikal. Seeing MAYA
he advanced toward her, bowling as he
came
Lady, ne said, ''ieaTninE that you
were here with these strangers, have
followed you 10 beg that you will
speak with me alone for some few min
1tes."
THAT cannot do, cousin" she an
swered, coldlv, 'for who knows what
color might afterward be put upon my
words. II YOU have anything to say TO
me say IL before us ALL"
ttThot I oannof do ~ he aneuarQd
"for what have TO say Is secret. Still,
for your fathers sake, and perhaps for
your own, you will do well 10 hear IL"
without witness will not listen
20 you, TilSal."
''Then. lady. farewell" he said. and
turned TO go.
stay, cousin. II you fear TO speak
before our own people let this stranger"
and she pointed 20 me, Ignatio-'be
present ut our talk. He Is of our blood
and can understand our tongue, dis
Greet man, and, moreover, one OF the
Brethren OF the Heart"
zone OF the Brethren Of the Hearth
How can stranger be Brother OF the
Heart? Prove IL 10 me. wauderer."
And drawing me aside he said GER
lain words which / answered, giving
him the signs.
'Do you agree?" asked Maya.
Yes, lady, since l must, though II
plcases me little 10 open my mind be-
fore n stranger. Let MS step apart"
and he walked 10 the center OF the plat
form, followed by Maya and myself.
LADY" he began. "mv business with
YOU Is not easy 20 tell For many years
we we're afllanced, and both You and
-our father promised that we should be
wed when you returned from this jour
ney--"
"Surely, as things are. cousin. II Is
needless 10 discuss the matter OF our
betrothal," she broke In with sarcasm.
Not altogether needless, LADY," he
answered. II have much 10 ask your
pardon for, and yet | make bold TO ash,
h. Mayn. you know well that | have
loved, and love you dearly, and that no
other woman has ever been near my
heart"
asurelv," she said with n laugh,
"these words sound strange In the
mouth of the new-frade husband OF
Eahua."
perhaps. lady, and yet are true. I
am married 10 Nahua. but do not love
her. though she loves me. IL Is you
whom love. and when l saw you yes
terday all my heart went out to You. so
that 1 almost hated the fair bride nc my
side"
swhy. then. did you marry her?"
because must and because be-
lieved You dead. and your father with
ron. as did every man In the city. lou,
zIbalbay, being dead, as thought, was
n wonderful that should wish 20 keep
the place that many were plotting 70
take from mep This could be done In
one way only. by the help Of Natal,
Abe most clever and the most powerful
man IN the city; and this was Mattafs
price, that his daughter should become
Lady OF the HsArA