Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-02-06
HEART Of THE WORLD.
ny H. RIDER HAGGARD.
Strange Story Taken From Manuscript Bequeathed by Old
Mexican Indian to Ills Friend and Comrade,
EngIshman Named Jones.

CHAPTER XII.
MAYA DIscENDs THE cUEvA.

CHAPTER XII.
MAYA DIscENDs THE cUEvA.
One evening after we had left the
forest country and with much toll
climbed the sierra till we reached the
desert beyond, desert that seemed to
b boundless, we set our camp among
dump Of great aloes that grew at the
foot Of . stony hill. This hill was
marked on Zibalbay's map as being the
slte fan underground reservoir, known
- . cueva, whence in the old days,
when this place was inhabited, the In.
dams draw their supply Of water in the
dry season from deep down in the bow.
els OF the earth.
That this particular cueva existed
was proved by the fact that the ancient
road, which here was plainly visible,
ran through the ruins Of large town
whereof the population must once have
been supplied by it. but when Zibal-
bay andhis daughter slept here on their
downward journey they were spared
the necessity Of looking for it by the
discovery OF a rain pool in the hollow
OF rock. Now, however, no rain hav-
ing fallen for weeks, after we had eaten
and drunk such water as remained In
the water skins, we determined to seek
Tor the cueva in order to refill the skins
and give drink to the thirsty mules.
Accordingly we began to examine the
rocky hill, and presently found stone
archway now nearly filled UP with soil
and halfhidden by thorn bushes, which
we Judged to be the entrance to the
cueva. Having provided ourselves with
torches we lit four of them, and led
the way through the hole to find myself
10 Q cave where great and mysterious
wind blew and sighed in sudden gusts
that almost extinguished our lights
Following this cave we came to o hole
or shaft at the end OF 1t, which evil
IDENTIFY led to the springs or pools Of
water. This shaft OF unknown depth
was almost II not quite as smooth and
perpendicular as though it had been
followed by the hand Of man, but the
strangest thing about it was the terri
bio stairway that the ancients had used
to approach the water, which consisted
Of o double row of notches. eight or ten
inches In depth, cut in the surface Of
the shaft. Up and down these notches
the water carriers must have passed for
generations, for they were much worm
and groove made by Il feet of men
ran to the top of this awful ladder.
The senior finding fragment of rock
let 1t fall over the euge of the pit, and
several seconds passed before faint
sound told us that it had touched the
bottom. What dreadful place!" he
said ~ think that had rather die Of
thirst than attempt to go down it."
"Still, people have gone down in the
past, " answered Maya, for look, this ID
where they stepped off the edge"
Come away said Zilbalbay, none
Of us here could take that road and live.
The mules must go thirsty; Ave houro
journey away there is a pool wheN
they can drink tomorrow. Then we
turned and left this cave Of the winds
and were glad to be outside Of II, for
the place had an unholy look, and, all
the draught Notwithstanding, was hot
to suffocation.
Zilbalbay walked to the camp, but l
and the others stayed to pluck some
forage for the mules. Soon they grew
weary Of this task and fell to talking as
they watched the sunset, which was
very beautiful on these lonely plains.
Presently heard the Lady Maya say;
"Pick me that flower, friend, to wear
on my breast" and she pointed to
snow-white cactus bloom that grew
among some rocks.
lie climbed to the place and stretched
out his hand to cut the flower, when OF
aMdden ! heard him utter an exclama-
ton and saw him start back.
"What is it?" | said. "lIave you
prlcked yourself, or cut your handP"
He made no answer, but his eyes grew
wide with horror and he pointed at
something gray that was gliding away
among the stones, and as he pointed
! saw spot Of blood appear upon his
wrist. Maya saw 1t also.
"A snake has bitten you'll" she cried,
IN voice Of agony; then she sprang at
him, and before lguessed what she was
about to do, seized his arm with both
hands and applied her lips to the
wound. lie tried to wrench It free, but
she chung to 1t fercely, then calling to
me 10 bring stick she tore strip off
her robe and made it fast around his
wrist above the puncture. BY now |
was there with the stick, and setting 1t |
In the loop OF linen, | twisted 1t till the |
hand turned blue from the pressure.
"What snake was it?" l asked.
1.-THE deadly gray sort" he answered,
adding: Don't look SO frightened,
Maya; know cure. Come to the
camp, quick" In two minutes we were
there, and the senior had snatched q
sharp knife and powder flask.
Nov, friend, NE said, handing me the
knife, "cut deep, since 1t Is life or death |
TO me, and there are no arteries on top |
Of the wrist
Seeing what had come about, Zilbal-
boy held the senor's hand, and | cut
twice. He never WINGED, but at each
cut Maya groaned Then, having let
the blood fall till 1t would run no more,
we poured powder into the wound, as
much as would lie on a twenty-cent
piece, and fred 1t. Invent off in puff
Of white smoke, leaving the flesh be-
meath black and charred.
"Now, as we have no spirits, there is
nothing more to be done except to
wait, said the senior, with an attempt
at smile
Zilbalbay went to bag and pro-
duced from 1t some cuca paste.
Eat this, he said; "it is better than
any Arewater."
The senior took the stuff and began to
swallow It till presently | saw he could
force no more down, for a paralysis
seemed to be creeping over him; his
throat contracted, and his cyelids fell
as though weighed down by irresistible
sleep. Now, seeing that notwithstand-
ing our remedies the poison had got
hold Of him, we seized him by the arms
and began to walk him to and fro, en-
couraging him at the same time to keep
brave heart and fight against death.
n am doing my best, he answered,
feebly; then his mind began to wander
and at length he fell down and his eyes
shut.
"Unlcss we can rouse him the white
man will die, said Zilbalbay.
"Oh, awake!" cried Maya despairing-
ly, placing her lips close to the senor's
ear.
La eaonnad 10 hanr hnr for thnnrh hia