Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-08-20

him an power, s7d me yoa 6fast Hoa.
1emn TO death or easals; next, +ou
must pardon him his breaches of the
law, the law that he of all men was
bound to keep.
''Then you must hand over your treas.
ures. the treasures boarded by your
forefathers for many a generation, to
these wandering thieves whom he has
brought with hmm, 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 may
be increased Say, will you do these
things, Children of the HEARTH
Now, all those mobiles who stood be-
hind TiAal 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 them" he said, ''and
base indeed were you had you answered
otherwise What, then, will you do?
Tell me, first, whom do you choose as
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?"
I'VE choose you, Tikal, Tika1r' 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
HIN TO spy out our secrets and to rob
us?'
xiii them before the atari" they
shouted, waving their swords.
TilSal thought for moment. then
pointed toward us and said: ''Seize
these men,
At his words a 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 / saw the senior put his hand
to his belt, and l 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 viii do in any case, but
as you wish" he answered. Then they
broke on us. As they came, all those
mobiles who had followed Zibalbay 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 a shout cut down the
foremost of those who assaulted us-a
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 Til1cl again.
And again the mobiles answered: xiii
thern!'
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 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 law in the
city that none can be put to death ex-
cept after trial before the cacique and
his council?. Have these men been tried,
and if so, by whom? You say that my
father, your lawful ruler, is deposed.
If that is so, not Tikal, but l, who am
his heir, rule in his stead, and l have
passed no Judgment on them"
Now, at her words there was 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"
at 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?"
at is So" they answered.
$50 be it." said Tikal, ''but till then
1 must hold you in safe keeping. VIII
it please you to follow Natal, lady, and
you, my lord Ziba1bay? Guards, bring
these men to the watch-house yonder,
and keep them there till l come to you"
Maya bowed, and turning to the aud
fence, said in clear voice: Farewell,
my people. If we are seen no more you
will know that we have been murdered
by Tikal, who has usurped our place,
and to you leave it to take vengeance
for our blood"