Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-08-06

The hall had been made ready for
our coming, for it was lighted with
many silver lamps, and in one part of
it rugs were laid, and on them stood
tables and seats.
For awhile we stood staring at each
other IN silence. It was Zibalbay who
broke it, and his voice rang strangely
in the vaulted place.
sit is his hour now" he said. shaking
his fists toward the stair by which Tika1
had left us, ''but let him pray that mine
may never GOMEZ and he suddenly
turned, and, walking to couch, flung
himself upon it and buried his face in
his hands.
Maya followed him, and, bending
down, strove to comfort him, but he
waved her away and she came back to
us.
'sThis is gloomy place. said the
senior in a half whisper, for here one
scarcely dared to speak loud because of
the echoes that ran about the walls,
''but dark though it is, it seems safer
than the summit of the pyramid, where
sword points are SO many" and he
pointed to little cut upon his throat.
sit is safe enough" Maya answered,
with a bitter laugh, land safely will it
keep our bones till the worlds end, for
guard them there's no escape, and the
death that threatened us in the sun
shine shall overtalze US in the shadow
what must be must be- answered
the senior with a sigh, but for my part
i hope that the worst is past and that
they will not kill us. 1t was your
fathers rashness brought these
evils on us, and perhaps misfortune
may teach him wisdom"
Newer" she answered, shaking her
head, for they are right. On this mat
ter he is mad, as you, 1gnatio, are mad
also. Come, let US look at our prison.
for have never seen it till this hour -
and, taking one of the hand lamps tina t
stood near, she walked down the length
of the hall. At it's further end We're
gates similar to those by which we had
entered, and through them came a
draught of air.
Where do they lead?" asked.
II do not know" she answered.: ''per-
hapS to the sanctuary by a secret way.
The pyramid is full of these chambers
that in old days were used for many
things, such as the storage of co IN and
weapons and the burying places of
priests, thousands of whom are at rest
within it. Now they are empty and de-
serted"
As we walked back again I stopped
before a wooden door leading into one
of the cham berS of which have spoken
that stood ajar.
Let Us go in," said Maya, pushing it
open, and we entered to find ourselves
in a small room lined with shelves
packed, some of them with yellow and
some with white bars of metal.
Copper and lead" said the senior,
CHANGING at them
Not So" answered Maya with a
laugh, ''but that which you white men
covet, gold and silver. Look what is
painted above the Shelves and she
held up the lamp and read: Pure
metal from the southern mines, set
apart for the service of the Temple of
the Heart, and of the temples of the
east and west. OF gold-such a weight;
of si1ver-such q weight"
/ stared and my eyes grew greedy,
and forgotten, was enough wealth to
stored there by the forefathers of this
strange rust-eaten race. All! if only
could see one-half of it safe across the
mountains, how great might be my flu
ture and that of the people which I
lived to servei
Perhaps you will win it after all,
lgnatio," said Maya, interpreting my
thoughts. but to be frank, Il fear that
You viii gain nothing except a sep
ulchre in these gloomy vaults
After this we visited several cham
bers that were empty. or filed only
with the wreck of moth-eaten tapes
tries and curious furniture, till at
length we came to a room. or rather a
large cupboard. piled from floor to cell
ing with golden vessels of the most