The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-01-10
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAGdARD.
4 Strange Story, Taken From Manuscript Be
Queathed by an Old Mexican Indian 20 His
Friend and COmrade. an English.
man Named Jones.
ITO BE CONTINUED

80 soon as this great danger nau
gone by the sailors lifted Don Jose into
the boat. where he lay casping but
unframed. Then arose the question
of what we could do to save our lives.
Asst was, we must have been swamped
many times over but for the stanch-
ness of the boat, which. fortunately,
was a new one, and the seamanshlp
and ceaseleSs vigilance of the Indian
boatswain who commanded her. For
hour after hour he crouched in the bow
of the cutter, staring through the
sheets of rain and the darkness with
his hawks eyes and shouting directions
to the crew as he heard or caught sight
of a white-crested billow rolling down
upon us. when we would be flung up
toward the sky to sink deep into the
trough on the further side, sometimes
half full of water. which must be baled
out before the next wave came.
l was very thankful when, at length
overcome by cold and exhaustion, l
sank into Inconsistencies or swOOn.
How long l remained in this merciful
state of oblivion l do not know, but l
was reused from it by Molas. who shook
me and called into my ear with voice
that trembled with cold or JOY. or both:
Awake. awake, we are saved
"Saved?" l said, confusedly. What
from?7
From death in the sea. Look lord"
"Where are we?" | asked.
I'm the Usumacinto river, thanks
be to God,' answered Molas. We
have been driven across the bay in the
dark and at the dawn found ourselves
lust outside the breakers. Somehow
we passed them safely and there be-
fore us is the blessed land"
As for the Indians, the men to whom
we owed our lives, they were utterly
worn out. Two of them appeared to
have swooned where they sat, three
others Law gasping beneath the seats,
but Molas held the tiller by my side,
and the bOatsvain still sat upright in
the bow, where he had faced death for
so many dreadful hours.
SAY, lord" he asked. turning his
face that was hollow with suspense and
suffering to speak to me. can you
row? If so, you take the oar and pull
US to the bank. while Molas steers, for
our arms will work no mOre?7
Then 1 struggled from my seat, and
with great efforts. for every move
ment caused me pain, pulled the cut
ter to the bank.
Some Indians appeared belonging to
a rancho. or village, halfa league away,
and, on learning our misfortuneS and
who we were. these men hurried home
to bring US food. having first pointed
out to us a pool of sweet rain water,
of which we stood in great need. for
our Threats were dry. When they had
been gone nearly an hour women ar
rived from the rancho. bearing with
them baskets laden with tOrtillas or
meal cakes. frijole beans, a roast kid.
and bottle of good aqua ardiente. the
brandy of this country. On these pro-
visions we fell to thankfully, and be-
fore we had finished our meal the
alcalde. or head man of the village, pre-
scnted himself to pay his respects and
TO invite US to his house.
Now | whispered to Molas. who had
some acquaintance with this man. to
take him apart and discover my rank to
him. and to learn if perchance he had
any tidings of that stranger whom we
came to visit, DR.. Zibalbay. He nodded
and obeyed, and after awhile l rose
and followed him behind some trees,
where the alcalde, who was of our
brotherhood, greeted me with rever-
ence.
Il have news, nv lord" said Molas.
This man says that he has heard of
the old Indian and his daughter, and
that but this morning one who has
travelled down the river told him that
some five or six days ago they were
both of them seized by Don Pedro Mo
reno, the father of Don Jose yonder,
and imprisoned at the hacienda Of
Santa Cruz, where, dead or alive, they
remain"
Now I thought awhile, then sending
for Senior James l told him what we
had learned.
But what can this villain want to
do with an old Indian and his daugh-
ter?@ he asked.
The senior forgets.@ said Molas.
that Don Pedro robbed me of the gold
which the doctor gave me, and that in
nv folly l told him who it was that
gave it me. Doubtless he thinks to win
the secret of the mine whence it was
dug, and of the mint where it was
stamped with the sign of the heart.
Also, there is the daughter, whom some
men might value above all the gold in
Mexico. Now. lord. l fear that your
journey is fruitless, since those who be-
come Don Pedro's guests are apt to stay
with him forever"
THAT. l think. we must take the risk
Of" said the senior.
Yes" 1 answered; having come so
far to find this stranger we cannot turn
/ back now. At least we have lived
which await Us at Santa Cruz"
CHAPTER VII