San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-16
CHAPTER XVI.
ON THE PYRAMID.

docs not the city lie very lowP" I
asked of Maya, when we had studied
the prospect on every side. ITO my
eye 1t seems almost upon a level with
the waters of the lake"
81 believe that is So" she answered.
Moreover, during those months of the
year that are coming, the level of the
lake rises many feet, so that the island
is submerged and the water stands
about the wall"
How, then, do you prevent the town
FROM being foodedP" asked the senior.
''If once the water flowed in the place
would vanish and every soul be
drowned."N
Eyes, friend, but the waters never
rise beyond aTcertain height, and are
kept from flooding the city by the great
sluice gate. If that gate were to be
opened in the time of inundation. then
we should perish, every one. But it
never Is opened during those months,
for, II any would leave or enter the city
| they do so by means of ladders leading
from the summit of the wall to floating
landing stages on the moat beneath"
1T seems a strange place to build q
| city" answered the senior. 81 do not
think that 1 should ever sleep sound
during the months of foundation, know
ing that my life depended on a single
gate"
"Yet men have slept safely here for a
thousand years or MORE" she said. lie
gend tells us that our forefathers who
came up from the coast in ancient days
settled on the island by command of
their gods, choosing this hollow bed of
land to build in, so that, rather than
submit themselves to foes. as their
fathers were forced to do in the country
beyond the mountains, they could, if
need were, flood the place and perish in
the water.
For this reason it is that the holy
sanctuary of the nameless God, the
Heart of Heaven, Is hallowed deep in
the rock beneath us, for the waters OF
the lake would flow in upon it at a
touch, burying it and all its treasures
from the sight of man forever. Now,
il you have seen enough, l will take
you to visit the public workshops where
fish is dried, garments woven, and all
other industries carried on that are nee
essary to our comfort" and turning she
led the way with her ladies toward the
head of the stairs.
AS we drew near to it, however, thre,
men appeared upon the platform, in one
of whom 1 knew Tikal. Seeing MAYS
he advanced toward her, bowling as h,
came.
Lady" he said, learning that yol
were here with these strangers, hav,
followed you to beg that you will
speak with me alone for some few min
utes:"
"That cannot do, cousin she an
swered, coldly, ''for who knows wha
color might afterward be put upon m,
words. If you have anything to say t,
me say it before us ALL"
THAT l cannot do" he answered
"for what have to say is secret. Still
for your fathers sake, and perhaps TO
your own, you will do well to hear it.
without witness will not lister
to you, Tikal."
"Then, lady, farewell" he said, an,
turned to go.
"Stay, cousin. If you fear to speal
J before our own people let this stranger
and she pointed to me, Ignatio-"b
present at our talk. He is of our bloot
and can understand our tongue, dis
: Greet man, and, moreover, one of tn
Brethren of the Heart"
zone of the Brethren of the Heart
How can a stranger be a Brother of tn
, Heart? Prove it to me. wand9 Snr-"