The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-06-13

The breeze was light; but after the
cold OF the mountains, the air was SO soft
and balmy and the scene SO new and
strange, that for one did not regret
our slow progress. Nobody spoke In
the boat, for all OF us were lost In our
own reflections, and the Indians were
awed TO silence by the presence OF their
lord, who alone seemed impatient, since
from time 10 time he pulled his beard
and muttered 10 himself.
Before us lay the tabled golden town
we had SO longed 20 see. SION our feet
would pass its white walls and our eyes
behold its ancient civilization.
what waits MS there?" whispered
the senior, and he looked at Maya.
She heard his words and shook her
head sadly. There was no hope in her
eyes, which were dimmed with tears.
Then he turned 10 me as though for
comfort, and the easy fires OF enthusi-
asm burnt up within me and answered:
Fear not, the goal is won and we shall
overcome all difficulty and danger. The
useless wealth of yonder golden city
shall be ours; and by its help l shall
wreak the stored up vengeance OF ages
upon the oppressors OF my race and
build up a great Indian dominion
stretching from sea TO sea, whereof this
city shall be the heartl" He heard and
smiled, answering:
ut may be SO, for your sake / trust
that IL will be SO, but we seek different
ends, Ignatio," and he looked again at
the lady Maya.
On we glided through the moonlight
and the silence for from the town came
no sound save the cry OF the watchmen
calling the hours as they kept their
guard along the ancient walls, till at
length we entered the shadow of the
holy city, lying dark upon the waters,
and the Indians getting out their pad
dies, for the wind no longer served Us,
rowed the canoe up n stone-embanked
canal that led 20 water gate.
Now we halted in front of the gate,
where there was no man TO be seen. In
an impatient voice Zibalbay babe the
captain of the boat hail the guardian of
the gate, and presently n man came
down the steps yawning, and inquired
who was there.
II, the cacique,' said Zibalbay.
"Open."
indeed That Is strange" answered
the man, 'seeing that this night the
cacique holds his marriage feast at the
palace yonder. and there is but one
caciquc of the people of the Heart.
Get back TO the mainland, wan
derers, and return in the daytime when
the gates stand wide"
Now when Zibalbay heard these
words he cursed aloud in his anger, and
Maya started as though with joy.
II tell you that / am Zibalbay
come home again your lord and no
other" he cried, and you will be wise
20 do my bidding"
The men stared and hesitated till the
captain of the boat spoke TO him, say
ing;
Fool, would you become food for the
fishes? This Is the lord Zibalbay re-
turned from the dead"
Then he FASTENED 20 open the gate as
fast as his fear would let him.
Pardon, father, pardon" he cried.
prostrating himself, but the lord
Tikal, who rules in your place, has
given IL out that you were dead in the
Wilderness. and commanded that your
name should be spoken no more in the
city"
Zibalbay swept by him without a
word. When he had passed up the
marble steps and through the waterway
pierced in the thickness of the frown-
ing walls he halted, and addressing
the captain of the boatmen, said:
Let this man be scourged to-mor-
row at noon in the market place, that
henceforth he may learn not TO sleep
at his post"
On the further side of the wall ran n
wide street. bordered by splendid houses
built Of white stone. which led to the
central square of the city, n mile or
more away. Up this street we walked
swiftly in silence. and as we went
noticed that much OF It was grass
grown, and that many OF the great
Il.
though light came from some of the
latticed window places, could see no
sign of any human being.
Here is the city" whispered the
senior to me, but where the people?'
Doubtless they celebrate the we'd
ding feast in the great square," /
answered. "IlarlS, hear them"
AS | spoke the wind turned little,
and sound Of singing foated down il
that grew momentarily clearer as we
approached the square. Another five
minutes passed and we were entering
It. IL was wide place, covering not
less than thirty acres OF ground, and
in its center rising 800 feet in the air
CLEANED the pyramid of the Temple Of
the Heart, crowned by the holy fire that
iliclsered eternally upon It's summit.
In the open space between the walls
the great buildings that formed the
sides OF the square, the inhabitants of
the city were gathered for their mid
night feast. All were dressed in white
robes, while many wore glittering
feather capes upon their shoulders, and
were crowned with wreaths of flowers.
Some OF them were dancing, some OF
them singing, while others watched the
tricks Of jugglers and buffoons But
the most of their number were seated
round little tables eating, drinking,
smoking, and making love, and we
noticed that at these tables the chill
dren seemed the most honorable guests,
and that everybody petted them and
waited on their words. Nothing could
be more beautiful or stranger 20 our
eyes than this innocent festival cele-
brated beneath the open sky and lighted
by the moon. Yet the sight of IL did
not please Zibalbay.
Along the sides OF the square ran an
avenue Of trees bearing white flowers
with n heavy scent. and Zibalbay mo-