Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-04-02
How the Yankee
Saved His Life
By AMANDA MATHEWS.

ION the top step Of ruined temple in
II the ancient city Of Chan Santa
Cruz, Yucatan, sat a stoop-shouldered
American, lean and long Of build,
CARRIED in badly-ftting plaid, and fiery
tie, whiting a branch Of the tropical
growth that fourished among the
crumbling stones. Sometimes he
paused to stare curiously about him at
the hieroglyphic carvings Of the temple
walls and fallen monoliths, the remains
Of a civilization decadent when the boy
Columbus played about the wharyes Of
Genoa.
Half a dozen Indians Of the Maya
race, picturesque in immaculate white
cotton garments, lounged about him,
listening IS politely TO his flow of Eng
lish as though they understood every
word; a Mexican soldier paced back
and forth the length Of the temple
shadow. not feeling that duty called
him into the yellow glare beyond;
burro laden with a peculiar assortment
Of boxes and tin horns browsed leis-
urely near by The Mayas, who had
been brought into subsection TO the
Mexican government only for a few
weeks before glar-d at the soldier with
sullen ferocity
II don't guess IL would pay to put mp
in this town." drawled the American,
"but / don't care. Money amt the
whole thing. This old worlds ehock
fun OF queerness, and Icalculate to see
an Of il that I'm let. I've heard tell
that this town amt a circumstance 70
some or here in the woods where You
chaps worship the idols Of your dads
the same Is you did before the time Of
Cortez They do say il amt safe To
visit them places without a lot Of sol
diers, but a Yankee can 60 anywheres
on his wits / found a Mexican colonel
who speaks about a nickel's worth Of
English and he promised TO meet me
here an hour ago with a guide who /
knows the way to a bony-fdy, heather
baellwoods city. / guess that's them
comm now, so I'll bid you folks |
'idyose.' and much obliged for your
good company"
All day jeremiah Judlins and the
guide labored to get the loaded burro
through a trail only wide enough |
for an Indian runner. They accom-
plished the feat by using their
hatchets freely, and. just after
sunset, as the tropical dusk was
rapidly descending, they emerged from
the forest into an open square sur
rounded on three sides by mango trees |
under which nestled the native huts.
The remaining side was occupied by an
immense pyramidal structure Of crum-
bling stone steps surmounted by rec
tangular temple with sloping roof.
There was no sound except the
screeehing Of the parrots in the mango
trees, no light except what streamed
from the open side Of the temple be-
tween the massive square stone pill
lars supporting the roof. The guide
lifted his voice in a long. wayeTing cry,
and. Immediately. three white-clad
Mayas descended from the temple, un-
loaded the burro, transferred the box
es and tin horns to their heads, and
conducted Mr.. Judkins in silence up the
pyramid |
"Niy iand!" gasped that weary and
perspiring traveller, ''this hotel has
more steps than the Norwalk Town
house"
Half-blinded by the light and smoke
Of many torches, he managed to grope
his way to where has baggage had been
deposited at one end Of the scene be-
fore him. The whole population of the
village, men. women and children, sat
ON the stone floor facing the open side.
At the other end Of the hall on sort OF
throne. stood an immense stone image
whose hideous features illuminated
nv the Pickering torchlight, bore some
yrotesque resemblance to human
face as it might look distorted by every
vii passion. A solid bank Of skulls rose
back Of the idol while at its feet was
srge sacrifcial stone covered win
carvings. On either side there
stood tA-se priests with long hair fall
NO over their shoulders in snake-like
locks. dark faces, bare arms and long
white robes hideously stained WITH
blood. An Indian chieftain, nearly ma
sed except some war traPPings Of
Darbaric splendor. sat on lesser
throne on one side. above his people
but lower than the god.
sThey seem to be waiting Tor me y
Derin.- muttered Jeremiah, SO annie
profound silence and attention, ne IN
..I-..s "a -. ~, . Isrpe rraphopho1e