San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-09
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CITY OF THE HEART.

TIE CITY OF THE HEART.
While it was yet dark on the follow
ing morning we were awakened by the
voice of Zibalbay calling us.
Arise" he said; "it is time to start
upon our road"
Dressing ourselves, we went into the
common room, where we found Zibalbay
and the Lady Maya.
Eat" said the old man, pointing to
food that was ready, land let us be go
ing"
Ten minutes later we were outside of
the house and on our way.
By degrees as the light grew we saw
that the country at our feet was shaped
like a bowl, whereof the mountain
range upon which we stood formed the
rim, and at the bottom of this bowl, fed
by numberless streams that had their
sources among the surrounding SHOWS,
lay the lake, the Holy Waters of this
people. OF this, however, we could as
vet see little, since the vast eXpanSe be-
meath us lay hidden in volumes of mist
that moved and rolled like the face of
the ocean.
Never before had we looked upon
anything so strange as this dense gar
ment of vapor while the light of heaven
gathered upon its surface, tinging it
with lines and patches of color. 1t
seemed as though a map of the world
was unrolled before us; continents,
seas, islands, and cities formed them
selves only to disappear in quick sue
cession and assume new and endless
shapes.
lit is beautiful, is it not?" said Maya.
"But wait until the mist breaks. Look,
it is beginning"
As she spoke, of sudden the sea of
mist grew thin and opened in its cen
ter, and through the gap thus formed
showed first the pyramids and temple
tops and then the entire panorama of
the city Heart of the World floating as
it were upon the face of the Holy
Waters. 1t was far away, but now the
night fog no longer thickened it, so
clear was the atmosphere and so high
were we above it that it seemed to be
at our feet.
1t stood upon heart-shaped island,
and round about the shores of this
island, stretching further than the eye
could reach, sparkled the blue waters
of the holy lake.
There lies my country" said Maya,
with proud wave of her hand. Does
it please you, white MANI"
at pleases me so well, Maya" he an
swered, ''that now less than ever can
understand why you wish to leave it. I"
t"Hs:ause, though lakes and E3an-
tains and cities full of wealth are fine
things, it is not to these but to the men
and women among whom we live that
we must look for happiness.
"Some people might think otherwise,
Maya. They might say that happiness
must be sought for in ourselves. At
least could be happy in such land a
this"
"You think so now" she answered,
meaningly, "but when you have been
awhile in the city yonder you will think
otherwise. Obi" she went on passion.
ately, ''if indeed you care for me we
should never have crossed that noun.
tain behind us.
Here am great lady, and you win
see the people in the streets bow them
selves to the ground before me; and II ]
| that man killed. Also here ! hav,
wealth more than any white woman
and you will be fond of me TO,
that"
"You are very unjust" he broke in
angrily; sit is shameful that you shoult
speak to me thus for no cause"
perhaps am unjust" she answered
with q sob, "but there are SO many
troubles before us. First there \
Tikal-"
"What does Tikal want," asked Til,
senior.
HE wants to marry ME, or to becom,
cacique Of the city in my right, which
is the same thing; at least he will no
give me up without a struggle. Thel
there is my father, who serves two mas
ters only, his gods and his country, AM
who will use me like a piece in a gam
II it suits his purpose; yes, and you, toe
Our good days are done with. the evi
ones have to come, and after them-th
night. Henceforward we shall find few
opportunities Of speaking even, for
shall be surrounded by officers an
waiting ladies, who will watch m
every action and hear my every WORD
and my father will watch me also"
Nov begin to be sorry that di
not take your advice and stop on tn
further side of the mountain, "answere
the senior. "Do you think we ca
escape there?"
mo, it is too late; they would trac
us down. We must go on now and NEE
our fate, whatever it may he. Onl
swear to me by my gods or your own, {
whatever you hold dear, that you wi
cleave to me till l am dead as / wi
cleave to you," and taking his hand
hers she looked up appealingly into h
face.
At this moment Zibalbay, who w;
walking in front, lost in his ow
thoughts, CHANGED to turn and 81
them.
: "Come hither, daughter, and yo
white man." he said in stern voic
{ Listen, both of you. / am old, but n
sight and hearing are still keen, thong
: yonder in the wilderness / took no hee
r of much that saw and heard. Here
? my own land it is otherwise. Lear
) white man, that the Lady of the Hea
is set far above you, and there l thin
t she will remain. Do you understar
: my meaning?'
d Perfectly" answered the seno
g striving to control his anger, "bu
4 chief, it is a pity that you did not s.
ii well to tell me this before. Had it n
:, been for what we and one dead we
It able to do to save you, to-day yo
e bones would have been whitening
d the forest. Why did you not tell n