Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-07-02


''There were none left upon the main
land to rcplenish 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
husband or wife of different blood.
''Thus, then, it has come about that
the people have grown fewer and fewer,
wasting away like snow upon 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 it
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 brooded long,
. and often did pray to that God whom
worship that might find that which
was lost, and save the people from
perishing.
cat length voice spoke to me in
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. I should find that which
was lost.
'sThen 1 summoned the Council of the
that 1 purposed to obey it. But they
made a mock of me and said that
might go if 1 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
wiilful, 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 I
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
it, till at last we reached this secret
place.
.'There is no need to tell the rest of the
talo, for it is known to you. Now, if it
pleases you, let us hear yours, and
learn what purpose led you and your
the grip of that white devil who lies
dead upon the stairway"
Then Ispol1e, telling to Zibalbay and
his daughter the story of my life, and
of my great scheme to build up again
that empire which fell in the day of
MOnteZuma.
''Now you speak words that are after
my own heart" said the old man; but
tell me, how is it to be done?''
"By your help" / answered. ''Men
are here in plenty, but to use them I
must have gold, whereas yonder, it
seems, you have gold and no men.
Therefore ask of you some portion of
your useless wealth, that by it's help l
may lift up your people and my own
Follow me to the city. and if l can
bring it about you shall have all that
you desire.'' he answered. Now,
daughter. lead me to my rest, for 1 am
overwhelmed, not with toll and suffer
ing, but with too much joy
When he had gone the senior spoke to
me. This is very well. Ignatio," he
said, land most interesting, but just
now, as l may remind you, there are
things more pressing than the regener-
alton of the Indian race; for instance,
our own safety. Tomorrow. at the lat
est, men will come to seek those villains
who lie yonder, and if we are found
here it seems likely that we shall be
shot down as murderers. Say, then,
what do you propose to do?"
81 propose, senior, that ut the first
light of dawn we should take the mules
and ride away. The forest is dense and
it will be difficult to find us in it; more
over, two days journey will take us
beyond the reach Of+white men. Tell
me. lady," 1 added TO Maya. who had
returned from the chamber, do you
know the road?''
81 know the road" she answered,
''but, sirs, before you take it, it is right
that should tell you something.