The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-02-24
CHAPTER XVII
THE CURSE OF ZIBAIDAY

TIE CDIeSE pd LlbAiDhf
Thankful enough was to rise from
the ground, feeling my life whole in
nc.
Death has been near to u.s." said the
3enor. with something between a sol
and II laugh. as we followed Zibalbay
and Maya into the guard house.
SO soon as we were in the door was
shut upon MS, 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?"
Il cannot say" she answered, but
in this pyramid arc chambers where we
shall be hidden away until our day OF
trial. At the least | think so, for they
dare not let us out among the people. lest
we should cause tumult in the city,
Before the words had left her lips the
door was opened, and through it came
Tilsal, 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
swcrcd Til;al 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 l
would save you from the vengeance of
the people"
1T is not the vengeance of the peo-
pie that we have to fear, TilSal," she an
swcrcd quietly, but rather your hate. "
which it is in your power to APP
peasc, lady," he said in low voice.
1T may be in my power, but it is not
in my will" she answered, setting her
lips. Come, cousin, take MS 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 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
fight of steps and then came gate of
copper bars.
Presently it had changed behind us,
and we stood in II vast apartment or
'idiA biioe w 10 bhiiN III VIC nCuib VI IuG
pyramid.
This hall had been made ready for
our coming, for it was lighted with
many silver lamps, and in one part of
1t rugs were laid, and on them stood
tables and seats.
For awhile we stood staring ut each
other IN silence. 1t was Zibalbay who
broke it, and his voice rang strangely
in tho vnultcd place.
ut is his hour now" he said, shaking
his fists toward the stair by which Tikal
had left us, but let him pray that mine
may never come" and he suddenly
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 is n gloomy place" said the
senior in half whisper, for here one
scarcely dared to speak loud because of
the echoes that ran about the walls,
but 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.
ut 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 overtalse us in the shadow"
what must be must be-" answered
the senior with sigh, but for nv part
hope that the worst is past and that
hey will not kill us. 1t was your
ather's rashness brought these
wills on us, and perhaps misfortune
nay teach him wisdom"
Never" she answered, shaking her
lead, ''for they are right. On this mat
er he is mad, as you, Ignatio, are mad
Ilso. Come, let us look at our prison.
or have never seen it till this hour"
md, taking one of the hand lamps that
TODD near, she walked down the length
II the hall. At its further end were
'ates similar to those by which we had
ntered, and through them came a
raught of air.
Where do they lead?" l asked.
II do not know" she answered.; "per-
laps to the sanctuary by secret way.
he pyramid is full of these chambers
hat in old days were used for MANY
hings. such rs the storage of corn and
Weapons and the burying places of
'riests, thousands of whom are at rest
within it. Now they are empty and de-
erted"
As we walked bl cl1 ayain stopped
'efore wooden door leading into one
4 the chamb crs of which have spoken.
hat stood ajar.
Let us go in" said Maya, pushing it
pen, and we entered to find ourselves
n small room lined with shelves
acked, some of them with yellow and
ono with white bars of metal
Copper and Lead said the senior.
lancing at them.
Not So" answered Maya with a
augh, "but that which you white men
ovet, gold and silver. Look what is
above the Shelves" and she
ED up the lamp and read: Pure
letal from the southern mines, set
part for the service of the Temple eff
he Heart, and of the temples of the
asst and west. OF gold-such weight;
I silver-such weight"
1 stared and my eyes grew greedy.
Or here in this one room, neglected
nd forgotten, was enough wealth to
AIRY out my purpose three times over,
tored there by the forctathers of this
TRANCE rust-eaten race. Ali il ONLY I
ould see onc-haf of it safe across the
how great might be nv fu-
are and that of the people which /
we'd to servel
Perhaps you will win it after all.
gnatio," said Maya, Interpreting INV
ioughts, but to be frank, l fear that
on will gain nothing except a sep
lchre in these gloomy vaults"
After this we visited several cham
crs that were empty, or filed only