The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-03-04

IllC ACCGSSlbJ VI IOOhllAk III ~ Oy VIZ
discovery of rain pool in the hollow
of a 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
for 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 half hidden 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
in cave where great and mysterious
wind blew and sighed in sudden gusts
that almost extinguished our lights.
Following this cave we came to hole
or shaft at the end of IL, which evi-
E'ently led to the springs or pools OF
Water. This shaft of unknown depth
was almost if 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
Bile stairway that the ancients had used
to approach the water, which consisted
of 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 worn,
and groove made by tt feet OF men
ran to the top of this awful ladder.
The senior finding fragment of rock
let it fall over the eoge of the pit, and
several seconds passed before a faint
sound told us that it had touched the
bottom. What dreadful place!" he
said. 81 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 is
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; five hours
journey away there is a pool where
they can drink tomorrow" Then we
turned and left this cave of the winds
and were glad to be outside of it, for
the place had an unholy look, and, all
the draught Notwithstanding, was hot
to suffocation.
Zilbalbay walked to the camp, but
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:
''Picl1 me that flower, friend, to wear
on my breast" and she pointed to a
snow-white cactus bloom that grew
among some rocks.
He climbed to the place and stretched
out his hand to cut the flower, when OF
sudden heard him utter an exclama-
tion and saw him start back.
"What is it?" l said. "ITave you
pricl1ed yourself, or cut your hand?'
| 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 it also.
"a snake has bitten you!" she cried
in voice of agony; then she sprang at
him, and before guessed what she was
about to do, seized his arm with both
hands and applied her lips to the
wound. He tried to wrench it free, but
she clung to it Gercely, then calling tc
me to bring stick she tore strip of
| lCl lODO dhO AllcluC ~ ldoV dlOuhl Lac
wrist above the puncture. BY now
was there with the stick, and setting il
in the loop of linen, twisted it till the
hand turned blue from the pressure,
| "What snake was it?" asked.
"The deadly gray sort" he answered
adding: Don't look so frightened
Maya; know cure. Come Oo the
camp, quick!" In two minutes wewer,
there, and the senior had snatched {
sharp knife and powder flask.
"Now, friend, "he said, handing me thu
knife, "cut deep, since 1t is life or deatf
to me, and there are no arteries on toI
of the wrist"
| Seeing what had come about, Zilbal
bay held the senor's hand, and l Gu
twice. He never WINGED, but at eacl
cut Maya groaned. Then, having le
the blood fall till it would run no more
we poured powder into the wound, q,
much as would lie on a twenty-cen
piece, and fred it. 1t went off in puff
of white smoke, leaving the flesh be
meath black and charred.
'Now, as we have no spirits, there i
nothing more to be done except Il
wait" said the senor, with an attemp
at smile.
| Zilbalbay went to bag and pro
duced from it some cuca paste.
Eat this" he said; lit is better thai
any frewater."
The senor took the stuff and began t,
swallow it till presently l saw he coult
force no more down, for q paralysi
seemed to be creeping over him; hi
throat contracted, and his eyelids fel
as though weighed down by Irresistible
sleep. Now, seeing that notwithstand
ing our remedies the poison had go
hold of him. we seized him by the arm
and began to walk him to and fro, en-
couraging him at the same time to kee,
brave heart and fight against death
II am doing my BEST" he answered
feebly; then his mind began to wande
and at length he fell down and his eye
shut
"Unless we can rouse him the whit
man will die" said Zilbalbay.
"Oh, awake!" cried Maya despairing
ly, placing her lips close to the senor'
ear.
He seemed to hear her, for though hi
eyes did not open, he smiled family an
murmured, "l1l try"
Then, with our help, he struggle
from the ground and began to wal
again like man who is drunk. The
he fell again, and putting our handsupo
his breast we could feel the. contrac
tions of his heart growing weaker ever
moment, till at last they seemed to di
away. But of q sudden, when we ha
already abandoned hope, it bounde
violently in his breast, and from ever
pore Of his skin, which till now ha
been parched and dry, there burst S
profuse perspiration that in the ligh
of the rising moon we could see 1t rur
ming down his face.
UI think that the uuhita man will liu