The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-15

ed the peace OF death, IL might only
shorten this long waitinss
Surely days must have passed. No.
there was the sun but little past the
meridian; and there sat Vasquez still
smoking. and occasionally adding few
sticks 10 the fire. The trunk was not
yet half burned through. He wished 70
delay the end as long as possible I
shouted to him to pile on the fuel and
have done with his CHASTITY farce. I
might as well have appealed 20 the
winds. He gave me not the slightest
heed, but rolled another cigarette and
lay down upon the turf
imagine I must have fallen into a
species OF delirium; for IT seemed to me
that the forest was alive with dark.
moving figures. fitting from tree to
tree When I sought to TX any one OF
them nothing wac to be seen except the
streams OF moss. The sun was sinking
toward the distant CordiIleras; the
shadows were lengthening. and even
vasquez seemed to be growing weary OF
his sport. for he collected an armful OF
wood and threw il all at once upon the
smoldering trunk
The vapors had cleared away from
my brain now, and 1 was gathering my
self together for the final moment. when
was / still deIirious, or did actually
see a dark. half nude figure dart from
one tree 10 another The figure carried
a heavy club. such as the Mayas use in
warfare. Whom was he watching. whom
pursuing? Nearer. and nearer yeti Now
he crouched behind bush within srm's
length OF Vasquez. who arose. still hum
ming his incessant song. TO stir the fire.
Then the club swung and fell with a
crash upon the bead OF the unsusDect-
Ing scoundreI, He cast up his arms,
uttered wild. horrible cry. which some
times echoes even yet in my dreams. and
plunged forward into the den OF noyul-
los.
Almost before I was aware OF what
had happened. the Indian ran out upon
the trunk-which cracked ominously be-
meath him-unbound me and bore me
safely 20 the bank. AS he deposited me
upon the grass the yucca. burned nearly
through, snapped of short and fell into
the pit
May heaven spare me another such
sight as I saw when the bonds had been
cast on my limbs. and was able to sit
upright. vasquez. erect among the
stones and brambles OF the moat. his
arms outstretched toward US. was liter
ally covered with the writing noyuIlos-
All. how he shrieked and shrieked, How
he yelled for mercy and help, But we
could do nothing. would have tried
20 descend into the pit TO drag him out.
but the Maya forcibIy restrained me-
IL Is too late" he said solemnly. IN
his picturesque dialect. He has sought
he demons and they have found him He
wished them 10 devour you. and they
are devouring him. II is just, The
Great Ones who live above the moon
have dealt with him. Do not anger them
by interfering.
And. indeed. II would have been hope
less to attempt 10 rescue the wretched
guide. Even before I could bave
reached him. had il been possible, the
venom OF the noyullos had silenced him
forever.
AS may be supposed. / had no fur
Their wish 10 explore Uxmal. but re-
turned al once 10 San Mugiel. guided by
the faithful Maya; who. clothed in civ
ilized habilinents. and altogether very
respectable "eolored gentleman" as the
neighbors call him. serves me my coffee
as 1 finish this page
THE END-I