Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-08-13

and many sorts Of fruits, but So tired
were we that we took little note of these
things.
Bidding good night TO Natal. who
looked at us curiously and announced
that he would visit rs early in the
morning. we made fast the copper bolts
upon the door and threw ourselves upon
the beds and were soon asleep.
IN the morning we were aroused by a
knocking at our door. I arose and un-
did the bolt, whereon attendants en-
tered bearing goblets of chocolate and
little cakes upon tray. After we had
eaten they led us to the baths, which
were of marble and very beautiful, one
warm spring. and then to a chamber,
where breakfast was made ready for Us
While we sat at table Natal came to
us, and l saw that he had not slept that
night, for his eyes were heavy.
Il trust that you have rested well,
strangers?" he said, eourteously.
Yes"
''Wen. it is more than I have done,
for it is my business to watch the stars,
especially my own star. which Just now
is somewhat obscured," and he smiled.
IF You have finished your meal, mp
comrades are to lead you to the apart
ments of the Lady Maya, who wishes to
show you something of our city, which,
being strangers, may interest you. By
the way, if do not ask too much, per-
haps you will tell me to what race you
belong" and he bowed toward the
senior. I'VE have heard of white men
here. though we have learned no good
OF them, and tradition tell US that our
first ruler, Cucumatz, was one. Are
YOU of his blood, stranger?"
- do NOT I-uOyx- - ar1Sxxarp6 the
laughing. Il come from a cold coun-
try far beyond the sea, where all
men are as / am"
''Then the inhabitants of that coun-
try must be goodIy to behold" answered
Natal gaveIy. Il thank you for your
courtesy, Son of the Sea, in answering
my question so readily. 1 did not ask
it from curiosity alone. since the people
in this city are terrified of strangers
and clamor for some account Of you"
Doubtless our friend Zibalbsy will
satisfy them" said.
Good. And now follow me-"
And he led us across courts and
through passages till he reached a little
anteroom filed with ancient carvings
and decorated with flowers, where some
girls stood chatting.
''Tell the Lady Maya that her guests
await her." said Natal, then turned to
take his departure, adding, in a low
voice: Doubtless we shall meet at noon
upon the pyramid and there you will
see know not what, but whate'er be-
falls, be sure of this. strangers, that
will protect you if can. Farewell ~
Presently the door opened and
through it came Maya, and looking
very sweet and beautiful in the shaded
light of the room.
Greeting, friends she said, as we
bowed before her; Il have my fathers
leave to show you something of this
city that you longed so much to see.
These ladies here will accompany us,
and guard. but we shall want no lit
tiers until we have assembled the great
temple. for 1 desire that you should see
the view from thence before the place
is numbered with the multitude. Come,
if you are ready"
Accordingly we set out, Maya walk
ing between US, while her guards and
ladies followed after. Crossing the
square we came to the pyramid.
1T is great building" said Maya,
noting our establishment, land one
that could not be reared in these days.
Tradition says that five and twenty
thousand men worked on it for fifty
years, twenty thousand of them cut
ting and carrying the stone and five
thousand laying the blocks"
Where did the material come from,
then?" asked the senior.
''Some of it was cut from beneath the
base of the temple ITSELF" she answered,
but the most was borne in big canoes
from quarries on the mainland, for
these quarries can still be SEEN"
sis the pyramid hollow, then?" /
asked.
Eyes; in it are many chambers, for
the most part store and treasure houses,
and beneath it's base lie crypts, the bury
ing places of the caciques, their wives
and children. There also is the holy
sanctuary of the Heart, which you, be-
ing of the brotherhood, may, perhaps,
be permitted to visit. Come, let US
climb the stair"
And she led us across the courtyard
to the foot of stairway forty feet or
more in breadth, which ran to the plat
form of the pyramid in six flights, each
of fifty steps linked together by resting
places.
Up these flights we toiled slowly, fol.
lowed by the ladies and the guard, till
at length our labor was rewarded and
we stood upon the dizzy edge of the
pyramid.
'Look.'' said Maya.
The city beneath US was built upon a
low, heart-shaped island, so hollow in
us center LilhL IL might nave DcSH Llo
crater of some volcano, or, perhaps, a
mere ridge of land inclosing a lagoon.
This island measured some ten miles in
length by six across at its widest.
Following the lines of the land upon
which it stood, the city was heart
shaped, a heart of cold white marble
lying within heart of glowing green.
All about it ran a moat filed with
water from the lake, and on the hither
side of this moat stood wall fifty feet
or more in height, built of great blocks
of the white limestone that formed the
bedrock of the island.
Within the oblong Of this wall lay
the city, city of palaces, pyramids,
and temples, or, rather, the remains of
it., for we could see at a glance that the
population was unable to keep 50 many
streets and edifices in repair.
Even in the great square beneath us
the signs of traffic were rare, and there
was little of the hustle of a people en-
gagged in the business of life, although
this very place had been the scene Of
last nights feasting. and would again
soon be filed with men and womeJ
flocking to the pyramid.
fro BE CONTISUED