Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-12-28

THE CURSE OF z1BALBAY
Thankful enough was to rise from
the ground, feeling my life whole in
me.
death has been near to us, said the
senior, with something between a sob
and laugh, as we followed Zibalbay
and Maya into the guard house.
so soon as we were in the door was
shut upon us, leaving us alone. Zibal-
bay sat himself down, but the rest Of
us stood together near the door listen
ing to the turmoil of the multitude
without. Clearly argument ran high
among them, for we could hear the
sound of angry voices, of shouting.
You have saved our lives for awhile,
for which we owe you thanks, said
the senior to Maya presently, "but tell
us, what will they do with us now?"
cannot say" she answered, "but
in this pyramid are chambers where we
shall be hidden away until our day of
trial. At the least think SO, for they
dare not let us outamong thcpeople, lest
we should cause n tumult in the CITY,"
Before the words had left her lips the
door was opened, and through it came
Iikal, Natal, and other of the great
lords that were hostile to Zibalbay.
What would you now of us, traitor?"
asked Zibalbay.
THAT you should follow me" an
swered Tikal sternly. "You and the
Others and, with low bow to Maya,
Forgive me, lady, that must exercise
this violence toward you and your
father, but have no other choice if /
would save you from the vengeance of
the people,
ut is not the vengeance Of the peo-
pie that we have to fear, Tilkal," she an
swcred quietly, but rather your hate. !"
Which 1T is in your power to ap-
pease, lady" he said in n low voice.
ut may be in my power, but it is not
IN my will, she answered, setting her
lips Come, cousin, take us to the
dungeon that You have prepared for
u.s.
"As you wish" he said. Follow me, !"
and he led the way across the guard
house, through IL sleeping chamber of
the priests that was behind it, to the
further wall that,was hidden by cur
tain.
This curtain on being drawn revealed
a small stone door, beyond which lay a
fight of steps and then came gate of
copper bars.
and we stood in a vast apartment or
hall that was built in the heart of the
pyramid.
This hall had been made ready for
our coming, for it was lighted with
many silver lamps, and in one part of
it rugs were laid, and on them stood
tables and seats.
For awhile we stood staring at each
other IN silence. 1t was Zibalbay who
broke it, and his voice rang strangely
in the vaulted place.
SIT is his hour now, he said, shaking
his fists toward the stair by which Til1al
had left us, but let him pray that mine
may never come" and he suddenly
turned, and, walking to couch, flung
himself upon it and buried his face in
his hands.
Maya followed him, and, bending
down, strove to comfort him, but he
waved her away and she came back to
us.
This ss gloomy place, said the
senior in a half whisper, for here one
scarcely dared to speak loud because Of
the echoes that ran about the walls,
Mbut dark though it is, it seems safer
than the summit of the pyramid, where
sword points are SO many" and he
pointed to little cut upon his throat,
s'It is safe enough" Maya answered,
with bitter laugh, and safely will it
keep our bones till the worlds end, for
through those gates and the men that
guard them there's no escape, and the
death that threatened us in the sun
shine shall overtahe us in the shadow"
What must be must be, answered
the senior with sigh, "but for my part
hope that the worst is past and that
they will not kill us. 1t was YOUR
fathers rashness brought these
evils on us, and perhaps misfortune
may teach him wisdom"
Never she answered, shaking her
head, ''for they are right. On this mat
ter he is mad, as you, Ignatio, are mad
also. Come, let us look at our prison,
for have never seen it till this hour"
and, taking one of the hand lamps that
stood near, she walked down the length
of the hall. At its further end were
gates similar to those by which we had
entered, and through them came a
draught of air.
where do they leadq" asked.
II do not know" she answered; aper-
haps to the sanctuary by secret way.
Yhe pyramid is full of these chambers
that in old days Were used for many
things, such as the storage of co rn and
weapons and the burying places Of
priests, thousands Of whom are at rest
within It. Now they are empty and de-
serted"
AS we walked back again stopped
before wooden door leading into one
of the chambers of which have spoken,
that stood ajar.
Let us go in, said Maya, pushing it
open, and we entered to find ourselves
In small room lined with shelves
packed, some of them with yellow and
some with white bars of metal.
"copper" and lead" said the senior.
glancing at them.
"Notn So" answered Maya with .
laugh, "but that which you white men
covet, gold and silver. Look what is
painted above the. Shelves, and she
held up the lamp and read: "Pure
metal from the southern mines, set
apart for the service of the Temple Of
the Heart. and Of the temples Of the
east and west. OF gold-such weight;
of.silver-such weight"
stared and my eyes grew greedy,
for here in this one room, neglected
and forgotten, was enough wealth to
carry out my purpose three times over,
stored there by the forefathers Of this
strange rust-eaten race. Ahl If only /
could see one-half of it safe across the
mountains, how great might be my fu-
ture and that Of the people which I
lived to serve!
Perhaps you will win it after all,
lgnatio," said Maya, interpreting my
thoughts, '.but to be frank, 1 fear that
you will gain nothing except sep
ulchre in these gloomy vaults
After this we visited several cham
bers that were empty, or filled only
with the wreck of moth-eaten tapes
tries and curious furniture, till at
length we came to room, or rather a
large cupboard, piled from floor to cell
Ing with golden vessels of the most
quaint and ancient workmanship, which