The Van Buren press., 1903-02-28
How the Yankee
Saved His Life
By AMANDA MATHEWS.

On the top step of a ruined temple in
the ancient city of Chan Santa
Cruz Yucatan, sat a stoop-shouldered
American, lean and long of build,
CARRIED in badly-fitting plaid, and fiery
tie, whiting branch of the tropical
growth that fourished among the
crumbIing stones. Sometimes he
paused to stare curously about him t
the hieroglyphic carvings of the temple
walls and fallen monoliths, the remains
of civilization decadent when the boy
Columbus played about the wharves 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; a
burro laden with peculiar assortment
Of boxes and TN horns browsed leis-
urely near by, The Mayas, who had
been brought into subsection to the
| Mexican government only for a few
weeks before glared at the soldier with
sulIen ferocity.
81 don't guess it would pay to put up
in this town. drawled the American,
"but | don't care. Money amt the
whole thing. This old worla's chock
| full Of queerness, and ! calculate to see
| all Of 70 that I'm let. I've heard tell
| that this town amt a circumstance to
some of here in the woods where you
chaps worship the idols Of your dads
the same as YOU did before the time of
Cortez. They do say it amt safe ia
| visit them places without a lot Of sol.
| diers, but a Yankee can go anywheres
on his wits. found a Mexican colonel
who speaks about nickel's worth of
English and he promised TO meet me
here an hour ago with a guide who
knows the way to bony-fdy, heather
backwoods city, guess that's them
comm now, so I'll bid you folks
'idyose,' and much obliged for your
good company
All day jeremiah Judkins and the
guide abored to get the loaded burro
through a trail only wide enough
for an Indian runner, They accom-.
pIished 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 surmuuntcd by a rec
tangular temple with a sloping roof,
There was no sound except the
scrccchng Of the parrots in the mango
trees, 20 light except what strcamcd
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, wayering cry,
and, Immediately three whitc-clad
Mayas descended from the temple, I'M
loaded the burro,transferred the box.
es and tin horns TO their heads, and
conducted Mr.. Judkin, in silence up the
! pyramid,
"My ianj!" gaspcd that weary and
pcrspiring traveller "this hotel has
more steps than the Norwalk Town,
| house"
Holf'blinGcd by the light and smoke
Of many torches, he managed 10 grope
his way TO where his 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 a sur, Of
| throne, stood an immense stone image
whose hideous features, illuminated
by the pickering torchlight, bore some
grotcsque resemblance 10 human
face as II might look dlstor by every
evil passion, Asolid bank Of skulls rose
back Of the idol, while at It's feet was n
large sacrincial stone covered with
mystical carvings, On either side there
stood three priests with long hair fail.
ing over their shoulders in snNkc.ikc
locks, dark faces, bare arms and long