Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-12-24

to MS VIVA we need far more than GOA
and gems-mcn and women with whom
we may intermarry, so that our race,
ceasing to .dwindle, may once again
multiply and grow great.
This, mobiles, is our compact, and
this is the path which the god who rules
us has pointed out for our feet to tread.
Accept it and grow lie ceased and
for awhile there was silence. Present.
ly it was broken, and by Tilal, who
sprang from his seat and cried aloud:
"Of truth they were wise who said
that this old man was mad. Have you
heard and understood, o People of the
neart9 This is what you must do to
fulfill the will of Zibalbay: First, you
must set him in his place again, giving
him all power, and me you must con-
denim to death or chains; next, you
must pardon him his breaches of the
law, the law that he of oil men was
bound to keep.
Then you must hand over your treas
ures, the treasures boarded by your
forefathers for many generation, to
these wandering thieves whom he has
brought with HIM, and lastly, you must
open yonr gates that have been kept
secret for a thousand years to other
thieves whom they shall lead here, to
whom, forsooth, you must give your
women in marriage that the race may
be increased. Say, will you do these
things, Children of the Hearth"
Now, all those mobiles who stood be-
hind TilSal shouted: 'Never!" and the
people beyond took up the cry with o
voice OF thunder, though the most of
them understood little of what was
I,cll L. L 4
there was silence.
base indeed were you had you answered
otherwise. What, then, will you do?
Tell me, first, whom do you choose as
your ruler-my uncle, who now is mad
and would bring you to shame and ruin,
or me, who have sworn to preserve your
ancient laws?"
1--WE choose you, Tikal, Tikal!" came
he answer.
81 thank you, he cried. "But what,
then, shall be done with this old man
and those whom he has brought with
him to spy out our secrets and to rob
us?"
kill them before the atari" they
shouted, waving their swords.
Tikal thought for moment, then
pointed toward us and said: "Seize
these men,"
At his words a hundred or more OF
the mobiles, who evidently had been pre-
pared to execute his orders, rushed at
us suddenly. AS they came across the
open space saw the senior put his hand
to his belt, and I said to him:
.For the love of God do not strike,
for should you touch one of them they
will certainly kill u.s."
StTho% khap i1l a., Il, - 1,,,k
as you wish,S he answered. Then they
broke on US. AS they came, all those
mobiles who had followed Zibalbay to
the crest Of the pyramid gave way be-
fore their rush, leaving the three Of us
and the lady Maya standing alone.
"Cowards!" cried Zibalbay, glancing
behind him. Then he drew his ma
chete, and with q shout cut down the
foremost of those who assailed us-a
great noble. In another instant the
weapon was struck from him, and the
senior and were being dragged toward
the altar, followed by Zibalbay and the
lady Maya, upon whom, however, our
assailants laid no hand.
"What shall we do with these men?''
cried Tikal again.
And again the mobiles answered.: "Kill
theml"
Then they threw us down, and men
came at us with swords to make an end
OF us, which they would have done
quickly had not the lady Maya sprung
cried: &C oldl' in SO piercing voice that
they stayed their hands.
Listen, People of the Heart" she
said; would you do murder upon your
own holy altar, staining it with the
Z blood OF innocent men? You talk OF
broken laws. Is there not law in the
city that none can be put to death ex-
cept after trial before the cacique and
his council?. Have these men been tried,
and If so, by whom? You say that nv
father, your lawful ruler, is deposed.
II that is so, not Tilal, but I, who am
his heir, rule in his stead, and I have
passed no Judgment on them"
Now, ut her words there was a muir
muir of mingled doubt and applause,
but Tikal answered her saying:
Lady, you have appealed to the law
on behalf of these wanderers, of your
father ard of yourself, and by the law
you shall be dealt with. Tomorrow the
judges shall be chosen and hold their
court here before the people,"
ut cannot be, Tikal," she answered
calmly. There is but one court which
SsAA " SAS AStAAs GA VA WAOiA tl1C 1DlCUU-
rem of the Heart, and that is the Coun:
ell of the Heart sitting in the sanctu-
ary, which assemblies on the eighth day
from now on the night of the rising Of
waters. Is it not so, nobles?'
1t is so" they answered.
$50 be it, said Tikal, but till then
must hold you in safe keeping Will
1t please you to follow Natal, lady, and
You, my lord Zibalbay? Guards, bring
these men to the watch-house yonder,
and keep them there till / come to you.'
Maya bowed, and turning to the aud
fence, said in clear voice: Farewell
my people. live are seen no more yor
will know that we have been murdered
by Tikal, who has usurped our place,
and to you leave it to take vengeance
for our blood"
(To- be continued)