The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-01-24
TTo BE CONTINUED

The chancel of the chapel was lit up by
shafts of brilliant moonlight that
poured through the broken window
and by lamp which stood upon the
stone altar Within the circle of strong
light thrown by this lamp were four
people, namely: Don Pedro, his son
Don Jose, an old Indian, and girl.
On either side of the altar then, as
now, rose two carven pillars of sapote
wood. the tops of which were fash
toned into the figure of angels, and to
these columns the old Indian and the
women were tied, one 20 each column,
their hands being joined together at
the back of the pillars in such man
ner as to render them absolutely help
less. My eyes first rested upon the
woman, who was nearest to me, and
seeing her, even as she was then. dis
hevelled and worn with pain and hun
ger, with her proud face distorted by
agony of mind and impotent rage, no
longer wondered that both Molas and
Don Pedro had raved about her beauty.
She was an Indian. but such an In
dian as | had never known before, for
in color she was almost white. and her
dark and waving hair hung in masses
to her knee Her face was oval and
small-featured, and in it shone a pair
of wonderful dark blue eyes. while the
clinging white robe she wore revealed
the loneliness of her tall and delicate
shape.
Bad as was the girls plight, that of
the old man, her father, who was none
other than the Zibalbay we had come
to seek, seemed even worse. He was,
as MOlaS had described him. thin and
very tall, with white hair and beard,
hawk-like eyes, and aquiline features,
nor had Don Pedro spoken more than
the truth when he said he looked like
a king.
What shall we try him with now?"
said Don Jose, addressing Don Pedro;
"hot steel or cold? Make up your mind.
for l am getting tired. Well, if you
won't, just hand me that machete, will
YOU? Now friend" he went on. ad-
dressing the Indian, for the last time
/ ask you to tell us where is that tenn
pie full of gold of which you spoke to
your daughter in my fathers hearing?"
"There is no such place, white man."
he answered sullenly.
Indeed, friend. Then will you ex-
plain where you got those little ingots
which we captured from the Indian who
had been visiting you, and whence came
this machete?" and he pointed to the
weapon in his hand.
1t was a sword of great beauty, as l
could see, but of hardened copper, and
having for a handle a female figure
with outstretched arms fashioned in
solid gold.
The machete was given to me by
friend" said the Indian II do not
know where he got it."
i T<,~a
tai laugh; perhaps you will remember
point of the machete in the lamp, will
going to serve him and his daughter"
Don Pedro nodded, and taking the
sword held the tip of it over the flame,
while Jose, bending forward, whispered
into the Indians ear, pointing from
to time to the girl.
{ <"Are you white men, then, devils?"
said the old man at length, with
groan that seemed to burst from the
bottom Of his heart, land is there no
law or Justice among you?"
None at all, friend" answered Jose;
1--WE are good fellows enough, but times
are hard, and we must live. Now, once
more, will you guide us to the place
whence that gold came, leaving your
daughter here as hostage for our
safety?"
"Never!" cried the Indian. Better
that we two should perish hundred
times than that the ancient secrets of
my people should pass to such as you"
$50 you have secrets after all! Father,
Is the sword hot?" asked Jose.
Zone minute more" said the old man,
turning the point in the flame.
This was the scene that we witnessed,
and these were the words that as
tonished our ears.
1T is time to interfere" muttered
the senior, and. placing his hand upon
the rail, he prepared to drop into the
church.
Now a thought struck me, and drew
him back to the passage.
perhaps the door is open" said.
Are you going in there?" asked the
girl Tulsa.
Certainly" replied: We must res
cue these people or die with them.
Then, senior, farewell. have done
all can for you, and now the saints
must be Your guide. for if l am seen
they viii kill me. and l have child for
whose sake l desire to live. Again,
farewell, and she glided away like
SldOON.
Now we crept forward and down the
stair. At the foot OF it was 2 little door,
which. as we had hoped, stood ajar.
For a moment we consulted together,
then we crawled forward through the
gloom toward the ring of light about
the altar. Now Jose had the heated
sword in his hand.
Look up, my dear, look up" he said
TO the girl. patting her on the cheek.
II am about to baptiZe your excellent
father according to the rites of the
Christian religion by marking him with
a cross upon the forehead" and he ad-
ranced the point of the sword toward
the Indians face.
At that instance Molas pinned him
from behind causing him to drop the
weapon. while | did the same Office by
Don Pedro, holding him SO that, struggle
as he might, he could not stir.
make a sound either of you and you
are dead" said the senior, picking up
the machete and placing the hot point
of it against Joses breast. where it
slowly burned its way through his
clothes.
What are we to do with these men?"
he asked.
XIII them as they would have killed
us" answered Molas; ''or, if you fear
the task, cut loose the old man yonder