The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-05-30


of q rock. Now, however, no rain hav-
ing fallen for weeks, after we had eaten
and drank such water as remained In
the water skins, we determined to seek
for the cueva In order TO refill the skins
and give drink TO the thirsty mules.
Accordingly we began 10 examine the
rocky hill, and presently found stone
archway now nearly filed up with soil
and half hidden by thorn bushes, which
we judged 10 be the entrance TO the
cueva. Having provided ourselves with
torches we lit four of them, and ! led
the way through the hole to find myself
In a cave where great and mysterious
wind blew and sighed In sudden gusts
that almost extinguished our lights.
Following this cave we came to hole
or shaft ut the end of It, which EVIL
IDENTIFY led TO the springs or pools OF
water This shaft Of unknown depth
was almost IL not quite as smooth and
perpendicular as though IL had been
followed by the hand of man, but the
strangest thing about IL was the terri
bic stairway that the ancients had used
TO approach the water, which consisted
of double row OF notches, eight or ten
inches In depth, cut in the surface OF
the shaft. Up and down these notches
the water carriers must have passed for
generations, for they were much worn,
and a groove made by II g feet OF men
ran to the top of this awful ladder.
The senior finding a fragment OF rock
let IL fall over the eoge of the pit, and
several seconds passed before a faint
sound told us that IL had touched the
bottom. What dreadful placer be
said. 81 think that had rather die of
thirst than attempt to go down IL"
Still, people have gone down In the
past" answered MAYA, for look, this Is
where they stepped off the edge"
"Come away" said Zilbalbay, none
of us here could take that road and live.
The mules must 60 thirsty; five hours
journey away there is a pool where
they can drink tomorrow" Then we
turned and left this cave of the winds
and were glad TO be outside OF IL, for
the place had an unholy look, and, all
the draught Notwithstanding, was hot
TO suffocation.
Zilbalbay walked to the camp, but
and the others stayed TO pluck some
forage for the mules. Soon they grew
weary of this task and fell TO talking as
they watched the sunset, which was
very beautiful on these lonely plains.
Presently heard the Lady Maya say:
"PiclS me that flower, friend, TO wear
on my breast" and she pointed TO
snow-white cactus bloom that grew
among some rocks.
He climbed to the place and stretched
out his hand to cut the flower, when of
n sudden heard him utter an exclama-
ton and saw him start back.
what is it?" / said. "IIave you
pricked yourself, or cut your handP
He made no answer, but his eyes grew
wide with horror and he pointed at
something gray that was gliding away
among the stones, and as he pointed
saw a spot Of blood appear upon his
wrist. Maya saw IL also.
"A snake has bitten your she cried,
In voice of agony; then she sprang at
him, and before guessed what she was
about 10 do, seized his arm with both
hands and applied her lips to the
wound. lie tried TO wrench IL free, but
she chung TO IL fiercely, then calling TO
me TO bring stick she tore a strip Off
her robe and made IL fast around his
wrist above the puncture. BY now l
was there with the stick. and setting IL
in the loop of linen, twisted IL till the
hand turned blue from the pressure.
What snake was it?" l asked
''The deadly gray sort, :" be answered,
adding: Don't look so frightened,
Maya; know cure. Come 20 the
there, and the senior had snatched
sharp knife and powder flask.
Now, friend, 'he said handing me the
knife, ''cut deep, since IL is life or death
20 me, and there are no arteries on top
of the wrist"
Seeing what had come about, Zilbal-
bay held the senor's hand, and cut
twice. He never WINGED. but at each
cut MAYA groaned. Then. having let
the blood fall till IL would run no more,
we poured powder into the wound, as
much as would lie on n twenty-ccnt
piece, and fired II. 1t went off in puff
OF white smoke, leaving the flesh be-
meath black and charred.
"Now, as we have no spirits, there Is
nothing more to be done except TO
wait" said the senior, with an attempt
at n smile.
Zilbalbay went TO bag and pro-
GHccd from IL some cuca paste.
Eat this" he said; lit is better than
any firewater."
The senior took the stuff and began TO
swallow IL till presently saw he could
force no more down, for n paralysis
seemed 20 be creeping. over him; hi5
throat contracted. and his eyclids fell
as though weighed down by irresistible
sleep. Now, seeing that notwithstand-
ing our remedies the poison had got
hold OF him. we seized him by the arms
and began TO walk him TO and fro, en-
couraging him at the same time 10 keep
brave heart and fight against death.
81 am doing my best" he answered,
feebly; then his mind began TO wander
and at length he fell down and his eyes
shut.
"Unless we can rouse him the white
man will die" said Zilbalbay.
"Oh, awnlSe!" cried Maya despairing-
ly, placing her lips close 10 the senor's
ear.
He seemed TO hear her. for though his
eyes did not open, he smiled family and
murmured, "i'll try"
Then, with our help, he struggled
from the ground and began to walk
again like a man who Is drunk. Then
he fell again, and putting our handsupon
his breast we could feel the contrac-
tions Of his heart growing weaker every
moment. till at last they seemed 10 die
axvav I,ut OF a sudden when we had