Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-04-08

him an power, and mo you must con,
denim to death or chains; next, YOU
must pardon him his breaches OF ths
law, the law that he of all men wa
bound to keep.
''Then you must hand over your treas
ures, the treasures boarded by your
forefathers for many generation. 10
these wandering thieves whom he has
brought with HIM, and lastly, you must
open yonr 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 NAV
be increased Say. will you do these
things, Children OF the Hearth"
Now. all those mobiles who stood be-
hind Tikal shouted: "Never.' and the
people beyond took up the cry with a
voice OF thunder, though the most of
them understood little OF what was
passing. Tikal held up his hand and
there was silence.
You will not do thcm," he said, "and
base indeed were you had you answered
otherwise. What, then, will you do?
Tell me, first, whom do you choose "a
your ruler-my uncle, who now is mad
and would bring you to shame and ruin.
or me, who have sworn To preserve your
ancient laws?"
1--WE choose you, TilSal, Tikall" came
he answer.
Il 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 atari" they
shouted, waving their swords.
Ilkal thought for n moment. then
pointed toward us and said: "Seize
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 L saw the senior put his hand
to his belt, and / said to him:
For the love of God do not strike,
for should you touch one of them they
will certainly kill u.s.
That they will do in any case, but
as YOU wish, he answered. Then they
broke on us. As they came. all those
mobiles who had followed Zibalbav to
the crest of the pyramid gave way be-
fore their rush, leaving the three of us
and the lady Maya standing alone.
"Cowards!' cried ZibalbaY, glancing
behind him. Then he drew his ma
chete, and with shout cut down the
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 Tikal again.
And again the mobiles answered.: kill
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 senior
cried: "Hold!"in so piercing a 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 n law in the
city that none can be put to death ex-
cept after trial before the caciaue and
his council?. Have these men been tried,
and if so, by whom? You say that INV
father, your lawful ruler, is deposed.
If that is so, not Tiltal, but l. who am
his heir, rule in his stead, and | have
passed no judgment on them"
Now, at her words there was a muir
muir OF mingled doubt and applause,
but Tikal 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, Tikal," 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.
airy, 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 Tikal 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 wonder.
and keep them there till | come to YOU
Maya bowed, and turning to the aud.
fence, said in clear voice: Farewell
my people. five are seen no more Won
Will know that we have been murdered
by Tikal, who has usurpcd our place.
and TO You leave it to take vengeance
for our blood"
CHAPTER XVTI