The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-04-15
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAGoARD.
A Strango Story, Taken From Manuscript Do
gueathed by an Old Mexican Indian to Ills
Friend and COmrade, IN English'
man Named Jones.
Copyrighted, 1894, by H Rider Haggard.
CHAPTER xvIIl-coNrINuED.

CHAPTER AN
Two more days passed, or so we reck-,
oned by the number of meals that were
brought to us, but neither Tikal nor
Natal returned to visit us. Other doc
torscame and saw Zibalbay, but, though
they tried many remedies, they were of
no avail. On the night of the second
day we were gathered round his couch
watching him and talking together sad
ly enough, for the solitude and dark
ness and the fear of impending death
had broken our spirits so that even the
senior ceased to be merry, and the pres
ence of her beloved to give comfort to
Maya
It was just then that looked up and
saw Natal standing in the doorway,
watching the scene curiously and with
a softening face.
"Greeting," he said, "and forgive me
that come so late, but my business Isl
secret, and such us is best done at
night. How does it go with Zibalbay?" /
1He lives" answered; II can say no
more, for he is senseless, and, without,
doubt, soon must die. But come, seeI
for yourself" !;
Natal walked to the bed and ex-!
amined the old man, lifting the eyelids;
and feeling his heart.
.sHe cannot live long, he said.
swell, death is his best friend. And
Low to my business. There is trouble.
in the city, and strange rumors pass,
from mouth to mouth among the peo-i
pie, many of whom declare that Tikal
has murdered Zibalbay, and demands
that you, lady, should be brought be-,
fore them, that you may be named
cacique in his place. :,
"Things being so, it has been urged
upon Tikal by the chiefs of his party
that. as he will never clear himself of
the death of Zibalbay, it would be well
that he should make away with you
also, lady, and with these two stran-
gers. The matter was laid before him
at a secret council held this afternoon,
and once he issued the order for your
deaths, only to recall it before the mes
senger had left the palace"
Now he paused, and Maya asked, in
a low voice:
"Have you no plan to save us, Mat
tai?"
l'Why should l have a plan, lady,
who with my house would benefit so
greatly by your death?
81 do not know why you should have
plan, old man." broke in the senior,
'.but l tell you that you will do we'll to
make one, else you do not leave this
place alive" and as he spoke with a
sudden movement he sprang between
Natal and the door.
IF we are to be murdered like birds
in cage" he went on, "at least your
neck shall be twisted first. Do you
understand"
II understand, Son of the Sea-" an
swered Natal, flinching little before
the senor's fierce face and hand out
stretched as though to grip him. "Bu
would have YOU understand some
thing. also; namely, that if l do no
return presently, there are some with
out who will come to seek me, ant
then"
"And then they will find your carcass,
: broke in the senior, 'and what will al
your plots and schemes advantage yo'
when you are a lump OF senseles
clay?"
syered. "Still, my daughter, whom
love better than myself, will reap som
profit, and with that, ip this sad case,
must be content. But, do not be S
hastv, white man. asked why
should have plan, l did not say ha
"a none"
"Then if you have one, let us hear
without more ado" said the senior.
Natal bowed as he answered:
"Your will is mine, but know ne
how my plan will please the Lad
Maya wonder, and therefore, before
untold it, would make it clear thu
there is but one alternative-the deaf
Of all of you by to-morrow's light. Yo'
lives lie in my hands, if I must do SO
save my daughter and myself, l sha
not hesitate to take them"
"Any more than l shall hesitate
take yours, old man." said the SEN
grirniy, ''for remember always that
Won do not make your plan such as Y
can accept you will leave this chamb
feet first, with a broken neck"
Again Natal bowed and continue
an one way only has Tikal been al
TO pacify the people, by declaring tn
the Lady Maya shall be produced /
fore the Council of the Heart. in. I
sanctuary upon the night Of the risi'