The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-07-04

CHAPTER XvIL-CoErINUEn
The hall had been made ready for
our coming, for IL was lighted with
many silver lamps, and in one part of
IL rugs were laid, and on them stood
tables and seats.
For awhile we stood staring at each
other IN silence. 1t was Zibalbay who
broke IL, and his voice rang strangely
in the vaulted place.
1T Is his hour now" he said. shaking
his fists toward the stair by which TilSal
had left us, but let him pray that mine
may never come" 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 10 comfort him, but he
waved her away and she came back Co
us.
This is a gloomy place, said the
senior in "A halt whisper, for here one
scarcely dared TO speak loud because OF
the echoes that ran about the walls,
"but dark though IL Is, IL seems safer
than the summit OF the pyramid, where
sword points are SO many" and he
pointed TO little cut upon his throat.
ut is safe enough" Maya answered,
with bitter laugh, land safely will it
keep our bones till the worlds end, for
through those gates and the men that
guard them there's no escape, aud tho
death that threatened us in the sun
shine shall overtllSe us in the shadow"
What must be must be, answered
the senior with sigh, but for my part
l hope that the worst is past and that
they will not kill us. II was your
! fathers rashness brought these
evils on MS, and perhaps misfortune
may teach him wisdom"
Never" she answered. shaking her
head, "for they are right. On this mat
ter he is mad, as you, lgnatio, are mad
also. Come, let us look ut our prison.
for have never seen il till this hour
and, taking one OF the hand lamps that
stood near, she walked down the length
of the hall At its further end were
gatcssimilar to those by which we had
entered, and through them came n
draught of air.
Where do they lead?" / asked.
IL do not know, !" she answered.; 'per-
Saps TO the sanctuary by n secret way.
The pyramid is full of these chambers
that In old days were used for many
things, such as the storage OF corn and
weapons and the burying places OF
priests, thousands of whom are at rest
within IL. Now they are empty and de-
serted."
AS we walked back again stopped
before wooden door leading into ono
OF the chambers of which have spoken.
that stood ajar.
.Lct MS 90 in" said Maya, pushing II
open, and we entered TO find ourselves
N a small room lined with shelves
backed, some Of them with yellow and
some with white bars of metal.
cooper and lead" said the senior,
zlancing at them.
mot So" answered Maya with
auph, "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
Aeast and west. OF gold-such weight;
] of silvcr-such weight"
/ stared and my eyes grew greedy,
for here i'm this one room, neglected
and forgotten, was enough wealth 10
carry out my purpose three times over,
stored there by the forefathers of this
strange rust-eatcn race. All III only
could see onc-half OF II safe across the
mountains, how great might be my fu-
ture and that OF the people which
lived 90 servel
lgnatio," said Maya. interpreting my
thoughts, 'but 20 be frank, fear that
YOU will gain nothing except sep
ulchre In these gloomy vaults.
After this we visited several cham
bers that were empty, or filled only
with the wreck of moth-eaten tapes
tries and curious furniture, till at
length we came TO n room. or rather a
large cupboard, piled from floor 20 cell
ing with golden vessels OF the most
quaint and ancient workmanship, which
had been discarded by the priests and
cast aside as worthless; why, do not
. know. In front OF this cleaning pile
stood chest, unlocked, that the senior
opened. Ii was packed with priestly
ornaments OF gold set with great en-
cralds. Maya picked out belt from
the box and gave Il To me, saying:
take IT., Ignatio. since you love
such trinl0ets. IL will set of that robe
OF yours"
Itook IL and put II on, not over my
robe, but beneath H..
Wearied ut length by the sight Of
so much treasure we returned 90 Zibal-
bnv. who was seated as we left him,
lost In thought
think Il mus. have been In the carly
afternoon OF the day following that on
which we were imprisoned that TllSal
visited us, accompanied only by four
guards.
~ "A small oand,~ said the senior, as he
watched them advance, but enough TO
put us TO death who are unarmcd-- FOR
al our weapons had been taken from
us-if such Ahould be their vii"