San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-26

waited fields and dug in the earth for
gold and gems.
$50 she fiourished and her children
with her, till twelve generations since,
when there came tidings to the king
of that day that nation of white men
had taken possession of the empires
near the sea, putting their inhabitants
TO the sword and possessing themselves
of their wealth. Tidings came also that
these white men, having learned the
tale of the City of the Heart and of the
measureless treasures of gold with
which it is adorned, purposed to seek 1t
out and sack it
"When the cacique was sure that these
things were true, he took counsel with
his wise men and with the oracle of the
god, and issued a decree that all those
who lived upon the mainland should be
hrou~ht within the walls of the city, so
that the white men laight find none to
guide them thither. This was done
then, and the spoilers sought in vain
for many years, till it was reported
among them that this legend of town
filed with gold was but fable.
Snow. however, great sickness took
hold of those who lived in the City of
the Heart, because it was over full of
men; so great sickness, indeed, that
soon there was space and to spare for
all who remained within its walls. The
sickness went away, but as the genera
tions passed a new and worse trouble
fell upon our forefathers. The blood
of the people grew old, and but few
children were born to them.
"There were none left upon the main
land to replenish the race, and this is
our law, law that cannot be broken
under pain of death, that no man or
woman may leave our territories to seek
a husband or wife of different blood.
"Thus, then, 1t has come about that
the people have grown fewer and fewer,
wasting away like snow upon a noun
tain top in summer, till at length they
are dwindled to few thousands, who
in bygone days could count their num-
Der by tens and twenties of thousands.
"But an ancient prophecy has come
down to us from our forefathers, and 1t
is that, when once more the two halves
Of the symbol Of the Heart are laid side
by side in their place upon the altar In
the sanctuary OF the holy city, then
from that hour she shall grow great
again. Over this saying l brooded long,
and often did ! pray to that God whom
I worship that ] might find that which
was lost, and save the people from
perishing.
"At length voice spoke to me in a
dream answering my prayer, bidding
me to wander forth from the country Of
the heart and follow the ancient road
toward the sea, for there, near to the
eastern shore, should find that which
was lost.
"Then I summoned the Council of the
Heart and told them of my dream and
that purposal TO obey it. But they
made mock of me and said that I
might go If / wished, but that no man
Of the people should accompany me
across the mountains, for that was
against the ancient law.
ITO be Short" continued Zibalbay,
'since my heart was set upon this mis-.
sion and my daughter yonder, who is
willful, would not be gainsaid of her de-
sire to accompany me, Tikal, my
nephew, was placed over the city to
rule as cacique in my stead, until
should return again.
"Alone we crossed the mountains,
and alone, following the traces of the
ancient road, we travelled through the
desert and the forest that lies beyond
place.
"There is oneed to tell the rest of the
talo, for it is known to you. Now, If 1,
pleases you, let us hear yours, and
learn what purpose led you and you,
companion here in time to save US from
the grip of that white devil who lie.
dead upon the stairway"
Then Ispolse, telling to Zibalbay ant
his daughter the story of my life, ant
of my great scheme to build up AGAR
that empire which fell in the day o.
MonteZuma.
"Now you speak words that are aftel
my own heart" said the old man; "bu'
tell me, how is 1t to be done?"
BY your help" / answered. "Mer
are here In plenty, but to use them
must have gold, whereas yonder, 4
seems, you have gold and no men
Therefore ask of you some portion O.
your useless wealth, that by It's help
may lift up your people and my own.
Follow me to the city, and Il car
bring 1t about you shall have all tha'
you DESIRE" he answered. NOW
daughter, lead me to my rest, for l an
overwhelmed, not with toll and suffer
ing, but with too much JOY"
When he had gone the senior spoke t.
me. This Is very well, Ignatio," h,
said, "and most interesting, but JUS
now, as I may remind you, there ar,
things more pressing than the regener
alton of the Indian race; for instance
our own safety. Tomorrow, at the lat
est, men viii come to seek those Villains
who lie yonder, and II we are found
here 1t seems likely that we shall b,
shot down as murderers. Say, then
what do you propose to do?"
81 propose, senior, that at the frs
light of dawn we should take the mule
and ride away. The forest is dense ant
1t will be difficult to find us in IL; more
over, two days journey will take u
beyond the reach of white men. Tel
me, lady" l added to Maya, who ha,
returned from the chamber, do 20,
know the roadp"
81 know the road" she answered
"egt. sirs. before WOW !, !. :. -,
/. mat should tell you something.
, "You have heard my fathers word
, and they are true, every one OF then
but they are not all the truth. He rule
! that city of which he has spoken to 20,
but the mobiles there are weary Of hi
: rule, that at times Is somewhat harsl
also they deem him mad. 1t was *