Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-08-27

I C6AFIER ANl-CONTISCEn
The hall had been made ready for
eur coming, <or it was lighted with
| many silver lamps, and in one part OF
It 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 it. and his voice rang strangely
IN the vaulted place.
at Is his hour noyv," he said. shaking
his fists toward the stair by which Tikal
had left us, but let him pray that mine
| may never come" and he suddenly
turned. and, walking to a couch. flung
himself upon it and buried his face in
| mis- hands.
Maya followed him, and. bending
down, strove to comfort him, but he
waved her away and she came back to
u.s.
This is a gloomy place" said the
senior in a half whisper, for here one
scarcely dared to speak loud because of
the echoes that ran about the walls,
but dark though it is, it seems safer
than the summit of the pyramid, where
sword points are 50 many" and he
pointed to little cut upon his throat.
SIT is safe enough" Maya answered,
with a bitter laugh, land safely viii it
keep our bones till the worlds end, for
through those gates and the men that
guard them there's no escape, and the
death that threatened us in the sun
shine shall overtake US in the shadow. "
what must be must be" answered
the senior with sigh, but for my part
[ hope that the worst is past and that
they will not kill US. 1t was your
fathers rashness brought these
evils on us, 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, 1gnatio, are mad
also. Come, let US look at our prison,
FOR have never seen it 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 We're
gates similar TO those by which we had
entered. and through them came q
draught of air.
where do they lead?': asked.
81 do not know, ;" she answered; ''peE~
haps to the sanctuary by a 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 it. Now they are empty and de-
serted"
AS we walked back again 1 stopped
before wooden door leading into one
Of the chambers of which have spoken,
that stood ajar.
LET us go in" said Maya, pushing it
open, and we entered to find ourselves
in n small room lined with shelves
packed, some of them with yellow and
some with white bars of metal.
Copper and lead" said the senior,
glancing at them.
Not So answered Maya with
laugh, but that which you white men
covet, gold and silver. Look what IS
painted above the Shelves" and she
hSld 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
east and west. OF gold-such weight;
of silver-such a weight"
| stared and my eyes grew greedy,
for here in this one room, neglected
and forgotten, was enough wealth to
carry out my purpose three times over,
stored there by the fOrcfathers of this
strange rust-caten race. All! if only l
could see one-half of it safe across the
mountains. how great might be my fu-
ture and that of the people which ]
lived to serve!
perhaps you will win it after all,
lgnatio," said Maya, interpreting my
thoughts, but to be frank, fear that
ulchre in these gloomy vaults"
Ac:er this we visited several cham
bcrs that were empty, or filed only
with the wreck of moth-eaten tapes
tric., and curious furniture, till at
length we came to n room, or rather a
large cupboard. piled from floor to 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 n chest, unlocked, that the senior
opened. 1t was packed with priestly
ornaments of gold set with great en-
cralds Maya picked out a belt from
the box and gave it to me, saying:
Take it, Ignatio, since you love
such trinkets- 1t will set off that robe
of yours"
took il and put it on, not over my
robe, but beneath it.
Wearied at length by the sight of
so much treasure we returned to Zibal-
bay, who was seated as we left him,
lost in thought.
think it must have been in the early
afternoon of the day following that on
which we were imprisoned that Tikal
visited us, accompanied only 10y four
guards.
"A small band" said the senior, as he
"dlEutAl lilG4H s4LFdHCCs 10
put us to death who arc unarmed for
all our weapons had been taken from
us-if such should be their will"
Have no fear, friend" said Maya.
they will not do murder Sc openly"
BY now TilSal stood before us bow
ing. and Zibalbay, who as usual was
seated brooding at the table, looked up
and saw him. What do you seek,
traitor?'' he asked, angrily. the blood
flushing beneath his withcred skin.
Would you kill us? II so, slay on. for
thus shall / come the sooner to the
bosom of that God whose vengeance l
call down upon you"
Il am no murderer, Zibalbay." an
swcrcd Tilxal with dignity. IF you die
it will be by the command of the law
that you have broken and not by mine.
] am here to speak with you, il you will
come apart with me-
Then speak on before these others
or leave your words unsaid." he an
swered, for not one step will | stir
with you, who doubtless seek some OPP
portunity TO stab me in the back"
''Iet il is important that you shoCld
hear what have to say. Zibalbay."
Say on, then traitor, or go"
Now TilSal thought for awhile, look
ing doubtfully at Maya. from whose
fair face indeed he rarely took his eyes
lis il your wish that | should with
draw she asked. shortly.
1T is not mine,T said Zibalbay, stay
where you are, daughter"
Il