The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-01-20
CHAPTER XII.
MAYA DESCFNps THE CrrrvA

MAYA DESCENDS THE CUFVA.
One evening after we had left the
forest country and with much toll
climbed the sierra till we reached the
desert beyond, a desert that seemed to
be bounaloss, we set our camp among II
clump of great alocs that grow at the
foot of q stony hill This hill was
marked on Hibalbay's map as being the
site of an underground reservoir. known
as cueva. whence in the old DAVIS.
when this place was inhabited, the In
dams draw their supply of water in the
dry srason from deep down in the bow
els of the earth.
That this particular cueva existed
was proved by the fact thHt the ancient
road, which here was plainly visible.
ran through the ruins of a lar-e town
WHEREOF The population mus. once have
been supplied by it, but when Zibal-
bay andhis daughter slept here on their
downward journey they were spared
the necessity of looking for it bv the
discovery of rain pool in t G hollow
OF rock. Now, however, no rain hav-
ing fallen for weeks. after we hat eaten
ana drunk such water rs rom lined in
the water sims, we determined 10 secS
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 a stone
archway now nearly filed up with soil
and half hidden by thorn bushes. viii j,
we judged TO be the entrance to TIC
cueva. Having provided nurselves wit.
torches we lit four of them. and led
the way through the hole to find mvse
in cave where II great and mysterious
wind blew and sighed in sudden trusts
that almost eXtingcished our lights.
Following this cave we came to a hole
or shaft at the enl of il, which evil
IDENTIFY led to the springs or pools of
water. This shaft of unknown denth
was almost if not quite as smooth and
perpendicular as though it had been
hollowe 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 O len
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 I'll G feet of men
ran TO the top of this awful ladder.
Inc senior nnding fragment of rock
let II fall over the cage of the pit. and
several seconds passed before a faint
sound told us that it had touched the
bottom. What dreadful placer he
said. II 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 of the edge"
Come away sal Zilbalbav, ''none
Oh us here could take thatroad and live.
The mules must go thirsty; five hours
journey away there is pool where
they can drink tomorrow. Then we
tnl.npfl 81 laft . Iii
ana were glad to be outside of il. for
the place had an unholy look. and. ali
the draught Notwithstanding, was hot
to suifocation.
Aloalbay walked to the camp. but I
and the others stayed to pluck some
forage for the mules. Soon thcv REV
weary OF this task and fell to talking as
hey watched the sunset. which was
very beautiful ON these lonely plains
PRESENTLY heard the Lady Alaya saw.
"llcS me that flower. friend, to wear
On my breast and she pointed to a
now-white cactus bloom that grew
linong some rocks.
Ne climbed TO the place and stretched
lat ms hand to cut the flower, when of
I sudden heard him utter an excla,na-
ion and saw him start back.
What is it?" | said. "Uave vo,,
rriclsed yourself, or cut Your bandp',
ne made no answer, but his eyes o-reyv
VIDE with horror and he pointed at
aomething 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 your she cried
, Z voice OF aSony; then she spranr at
I'm, and before guessed what she was |
ioout to do, seized his arm with both |
iands and applied her lips to the
wound He tried to wrench it free. bnt
nc chung to il ticrcely, then calling TO