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

istcrcd another vigorous kick. Up and
set ready to march And look you" I
added, handling the revolver significant
Iy, let me detect but hint OF treachery
on your part. and your punishment will
follow without further warning. Now
go"
Tho wretch crawled away with an air
Of 5lavish humility, but 1 caught a viper
ish glance which did not tend to reas-
sure me. I hardly need to explain that
my threats were simply polite bravado.
l certainly had TO intention OF shooting
the scoundrel in cold blood, though l
had not the smallest doubt that he
would have put his knife into me with
as little conjunction as he would have
felt in Staying a hare.
As the dawn deepencd into day we
shouldered our packs and resumed our
march toward UxmaL Though I had been
perfectly justified in the punishment I
had administered to Yasquez. my con-
science smoto me as saw his blackencd
and innamed eyes: the more. as the fell
low was so humble. so cheerful. so &C
tive, and apparently so anxious to re
establish himself in my good will by
various little services.
At nightfaH we reached the outskirts
OF the ruined city. Impatient as I was
to examine the place. it was evident
that she exploration could only be &C
complished by daylight. I went, how
ever. with Vasquez TO inspect one OF
the ancient gateways. formerly ap-
/. preached by a stone bridge over a deep
moat The bridge had long since fallen
into the pit and the space was partially
spanned cy a yucca palm which had
sprung from the hither hank and, by
some accident OF wind or weather. had
been forced to grow horizontally in
stead OF vertically. AS the crown OF the
tree approached within foot or two Of
the edge I started 10 walk across it.
but suddenly drew back with a cry OF
disgust and horror.
The pit below was literally alive with
serpentsl I recognized them at a glance.
by their creckered scarlet and orange
scales. glittering in the last pale rays
from the evening sky. They were noyul.
los. the most deadly Of Central American
/ vipers. beside which our dreaded rattle
/ snake and moccasin are comparatively
harmless. Even the bite Of the cobra
has been cured, but that Of the noyulIo
/ never The blood Of the victim con-
geals; dark spots appear upon his skin.
/ His muscles contract with torturinP
pains; no becomes blind. and finally ex-
pires in dreadful agony.
| stood looking down at the awful crea-
lures in TIE fading light. watching their
writings. and listening to the sharp
rasping OF their scales. TIL It seemed TO
my fancy as II the whole pit were full Of
animated ieweled necklaces. clashing to-
/ gether as some Indian nabob might Jan
gle strings Of rubies and topazea in mere
wantonness Of wealth Suddenly low
voice said.
IAN evil sight is IL not. senor?"
Turning swiftly around. I saw Vasquez.
the guide. lie was gazing down at the
monsters with meditative air When
one reflects that tho bite Of the smallest
Of those demons is dcath-ugh," and he
moved away with shrug Of his shout
dcrs. very expressive OF detestation. At
that moment it struck me forcibly that
with his fat head and his bead-Iike eyes
he very closely resembled a snake him
self.
/ We camped for the night few yards
/ from the gateway. for I wished to enter
the ruins as early as possible on the fol-
4 lowing morning Vasquez was particu-
/ larly cheerful, and sang. not very tune
/ fully. it must be admitted. as he pre-
pared our supper. Tc our meal Of iguana
steaks and frijolcs-or beans-he had
] aGded a quantity Of a small. orange