The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1898-01-27
We1@ or, Idaho
surprise you.

That same evening Maya told me
of her fathers words and said:
II think that before all is done 1
shall need the help that you have
sworn to give me, senior, for | can see
well that my father will be against me
unless my wish runs with his purpose "
For two more days we rested there
by the cueva till the senior was fit to
travel, then we started on again. For
ten days we iourneycd across the
wilderness. On the eleventh day we
began TO ascend the slope of lofty
range of mountains, and on the twelfth
we reached the snow line, where we
were obliged to abandon the three
mules that remained to us.
That night we slept with little to eat
in hole dug in the snow, wrapped in
our serapes.
'lIow far must we travel up this
snow?" | asked of Zibalbay as we
stood shivering in the ashy light Of the
dawning.
Look yonder," he answered, point
ing to where the first ray of the sun
shone upon a surface of black rock far
above us; there is the highest point
and we should reach it before night
fall"
ward for hour after hour. Fortunately
the climbing was not difficult, so that
by four in the afternoon we found our
selves beneath the shadow of the wall
of black rock.
Must we climb that precipice?" 1
asked of Iibalbay.
NO. he answered. sit would not
be possible without wings. There is a
secret way through it."
Are you glad to see the gateway of
your home, Maya?1 asked the senior.
NO" she answered, almost fiercolv,
for here in the Wilderness have been
happy, but there sorrow awaits me and
you. Oh! if indeed | am dear To You.
let us turn even now and fly together
back to the lands where your people
live" and she clasped his hand and
looked earnestly into his eyes.
What" he answered, land leave
your father and Ignatio to finish the
journey by themselves?'
You are more to me than my father,
James"
But, Maya, having come so far 1
wish to see the sacred city,"
''As you will" she said, letting fall
his hand. "See, my father has found
the place and calls us"
We walked on to where the old man
Stood
Although l trust YOU" said the old
man, yet l must obey the oath, to
suffer no stranger to see the entrance
to the mountain gate. Come hither,
daughter, and blindfold these foreign
ers."
She obeyed, and as she tied the
handkerchief about the senor's face |
heard her whisper: ''Fear not, | will be
your eyes"
Then we were taken by the hand and
led some PAGES; then, as we Judged
from the sounds, our guides moved
something heavy. Next we were con-
Quoted down a steep incline through a
narrow passage. At length, after talk
ing many sharp turns, the passage
grew wider and the path smooth and
level.
loose the bandages," said the voice
Of Zibalbay.
Maya did so, and we looked round us
curiously to find that we stood at the
bottom of deep cleft or volcanic rift
IN the rock. This cleft was still easily
passable after centuries of disuse. and
did not measure more than forty PAGES
from wall to wall. On either side of il
lowered sheer black cliffs.
by degrees the cleft narrowed until
it ended in u tunnel
We followed through the gloom till
presently a spot of light appeared be-
fore us, and in another minute we
stood on the further side of the noun
tain.
Without pausing Zibalbay pushed on
down the hill, and suddenly turning to
the right stopped before the door of a
house built of hcwn stone.
Enter" he said, '.and welcome TO
the country of the People of the
Heart"
As the door was thrown open, light
from the fire within streamed through
1t. and . mans voice was heard aslling.
Who is there?"
Without answering Zibalbav walked
into the room. At table placed be-
fore the fire sat man and
woman eating. rs this the wav
that you watch for my return?" he
asked IN stern voice. Haste now
ana make food ready for us. for we are
starved with cold and hunger"
Inc man, who had risen. stood hesi-
tat'hg' but the woman, whose position
enabled her to sec the face of the speak
er, caught him by the arm, saving:
Down to your knees. husband. II
is the cacique come back
Pardon, cried the man. talxinp the .
hint, but to be frank, o lord. /. has
been so dinned into ny cars down in
the city yonder that neither YOU nor the
Lady OF the Heart would ever return
again that | thOu0ht You must no
ghoSts. Yes, and so they will think in
the city, where | have heard that Tilsal
rules in your place.
Peace, said Zibalbay. frovning
"We left robes hero. did we
notP Go, lay them out in the sleenine
chambers, and with them others for
lhese my guests, while the woman
makes food ready"
Nhen they were rome on their err
rands we gathered round the hearth To
oask IN the luxury OF its warmth.
soon the Indian returned and an
bounced that our rooms were ready
Accordingly we followed him 10 n small
sleeping room. Laid upon the beds
were linen robes and serapcs made in
hibernate bands of gray and black
Gathers worked on to foundation of
stout linen. Standing upon wooden
tools In a corner of the room. half
illeu with steaming water, were two
'asins, which the senior noticed with
liver. '''neieo
We put on the robes that had been
provided and returned 10 tbe e,tinI.
ooni PRESENTLY the curtain was drawn
mo the Lady Maya joined us, but SO
hanged that we started in astonish-
Different indeed was she to the i'll