Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-08-06
CHAPTER XIV.

While it was yet dark on the follow
ing mo<ning we were awakened blythe
voice OF Zibalbay calling US.
Arise" he said; lit is tims to start
upon our road"
Dire ssing ourselves, we wenS into the
common room, where we found Zibalbay
and the Lady Maya.
Eat" said the old man, pointing to
food that was ready, ''and let US be go
ing"
Ten minutes later we were outside of
the house and on our way.
BY degrees as the light grew we saw
that the country at our feet was shaped
like a bowl, whereof the mountain
range upon which we stood formed the
rim, and at the bottom of this bowl, fed
by numberlesS streams that had their
sources among the surrounding SHOWS,
lay the lake, the Holy Waters of this
people. OF this, however, we could as
yet see little, since the vast expanse be-
meath us lay hidden in volumes of mist
that moved and rolled like the face of
the ocean.
Never before had we looked upon
am thing so strange as this dense gar
meut of vapor while the light of heaven
gathered upon its surface, tinging it
with lines and patches of color. 1t
seemed as though a map Of the world
was unrolled before US; continents,
seas, islands, and cities formed them
selves only to disappear in quick sue
cession and assume new and endless
shapes.
lit is beautiful, is it not?" said Maya.
But wait until the mist breaks. Look,
it is beginning"
As she spoke, of sudden the sea of
mist grew thin and opened in it's CEN
ter, and through the gap thus formed
showed first the pyramids and temple
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating as
it were upon the face of the Holy
Waters. It was far away, but now the
night fog no longer thickened it, SO
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were we above it that it seemed to be
at our feet.
II stood upon q heart-shaped island,
mud round about the shores of this
island. stretching further than the eye
could reach, sparllled the blue waters
of the holy lake.
There lies my country" said Maya,
with proud wave of her hand. Does
it please you, white man?"
1T pleases me SO well, Maya" he an
swered, that now less than ever can
understand why you wish to leave it. :"
because. though lakes and noun
tains and cities full of wealth are fine
things, it is not to these but to the men
and women among whom we live that
we must look for happiness"
'sSome people might think otherwise,
Maya. They might say that happiness
must be sought for in ourselves. At
least could be happy in such land as
this"
You think so now" she answered,
meaningly. "but when you have been
otherwise. Ohr' She won't on passion
ately, IF indeed you care for me we
should never have crossed that noun
tain behind us.
Here / am great lady, and you will
see the people in the streets bow them
selves to the ground before me; and if I
say that man shall die, you will see
that man killed. Also here / have
wealth more than any white woman,
and You will be fond of me for
that
'You are very unjust" he broke in,
angriiy; lit is shameful that you should
speak to me thus for no cause"
Perhaps l am unjust" she answered
with sob, but there are so many
troubles before US, First there is
Tizal-"
senior.
she wants to marry ME, or to become
cacique of the city in my right, which
is the same thing; ut least he will not
give me up without a struggle. Then
there is my father, who serves two mas
tiers only, his gods and his country, and
who viii use me like piece in game
If it suits his purpose; yes, and you, too.
Our good days are done with. the evil
ones have to come, and after them-the
night. Heneeforward we shall find few
opportunities of speaking even, for
shall be surrounded by officers and
waiting ladies, who will watch my
every action and hear my every word,
aid my father will watch me also.
''Now begin to be sorry that ala
NOT take YOUR advice and stop on the
further side of the mountain" answered
the senior. "Do You think we can
escape there?"