 HEART OF THE WORLD by H. RYDER HAGGARD CHAPTER XIII IGNACIO'S OTH At sunrise on the following day, I lit a fire by which to prepare soup for the senior who still slept. And as I was engaged thus, I saw the lady Maya walking towards me and noticed that her hands and feet were swollen. Senora, I said, bowing before her. I humbly congratulate you upon your courage and your escape from great dangers. Last night, I said words to you in my grief that should not have been spoken. For it is my fault that I am apt to be unjust to women. I crave your pardon and I will add that if, in atonement for my past injustice, I can serve you in any way, now and afterwards, I pray you command me. She listened and answered. I thank you for your kind words, Don Ignacio, and I forget other words that were not kind, which you have spoken to me from time to time. If in truth you wish to show yourself my friend, it is in your power to do so. You have guessed my secret. Therefore, I am not ashamed to repeat that the senior yonder has become everything to me, though as yet I may be little to him. I ask you then to swear upon the heart that you will do nothing to turn him away from me, or to separate us, should he ever learn to love me. But rather, should this come about, that whatever may be our need, you will help us by all means in your reach. You ask me to swear a large oath, senora, and one that deals with the future of which we have no knowledge, I answered hesitating. I do, senor, but remember that were it not for me at this moment your friend, who sleeps yonder like a child, would be stiff in death. Remember also that you have ends to gain in the city of the heart, where it will be well for you to keep me as a friend, should we ever live to reach it. Still, do not swear unless you wish. Only then I shall know that you are my secret enemy, and I shall be yours. There is no need to threaten me, senora, I answered. Nor am I to be moved thus, but I promise that I will not stand between you and the senor. Why should I? His will is his own, and as you say, you saved his life. But see, he awakes, and his soup is ready. She took the pot off the fire, skimmed it, and poured the contents into a gourd. Shall I take it, or will you, she asked. I think you'd better take it, I answered. She walked to the hammock and said, Senor, here is your soup. He was but newly awakened, and looked at her vacantly. Tell me, Maya, he asked. What has happened? Last evening she began in picking a flower for me. You were bitten by a snake, and very nearly died. I know, he answered. With a doubt I should have died, had you not sucked the wound and tied the bandage around my wrist, for that gray snake is the deadliest in the country. Go on. After the danger of the poison was passed, you became thirsty, so thirsty that you were dying of it, and there was no water to give you. Yes, yes, he said, it was agony. I prayed that I may never suffer so again, but I drank the water and lived. Who brought it to me? My father started on to the next camping place where there is a pool, she answered. Has he returned? No, not yet. Then he cannot have brought the water. Where did it come from? It came from the quaver, that cave which we examined before you were bitten. Who went down the quaver to get it? The place is unclimable. I went down. You, he said in amazement. You? It is not possible. Do you jest? Tell me the truth quickly. I am tired. I am not jesting. Listen, senor. You were dying for want of water, dying before our eyes. It was horrible to see. I could not bear it, and I knew that my father would not be back in time. So I took the water skin and some torches and went without saying anything to Ignatio. The shaft was hard to climb and the adventure strange. I will tell you of that by and by. As it chanced, I came through it safely to find Ignatio about to start on the same errand. The senor heard and understood, but he made no answer. He only stretched out his arm towards her, and there and thus in the wilderness did they plight their troth. Remember, I am but an Indian girl, she murmured presently. And you are one of the white lords of the earth. Is it well that you should love me? It is well, he answered, for you are the noblest woman that I have known, and you have saved my life. Zibalbae did not return till past midday when he appeared with the water leading the mule, which had set its foot upon the sharp stone in the desert and gone lame. Does he still live? he asked of Maya. Yes, father. He must be a strong man, he answered. I thought that thirst would have killed him there now. He has had, waterfather. I descended the quava and fetched it. She added after a little moment's pause. The old man looked at her amazed. How came it that you found courage to go down that place, daughter? he asked at length. The desire to save a friend gave me courage. She answered, letting her eyes fall beneath his gaze. I knew that you could not be back in time, so I went. Zibalbae pondered awhile then said, I think that you would have done better to let him die, daughter, for I believe that this white man will bring trouble upon us. It has pleased the gods to preserve you alive. Remember then that your life belongs to them and that you must follow the path which they have chosen, not that which you would choose for yourself. Remember also that one waits you in the city yonder who may have a word to say as to your friendship with this wanderer. And he passed on with the mule. That same evening Maya told me of her father's words and said, I think that before all is done I shall need the help that you have sworn to give me, Senor, for I can see well that my father will be against me unless my wish runs with his purpose. Of one thing I am sure that my life is my own and not a possession of the gods, for in such gods as my father worships and I was brought up to serve, I have lost faith if indeed I ever had any. You speak rashly, I answered, and if you are wise you will not let your father hear such words. Lest by and by my life should be forfeit to those gods whom I blaspheme, she broke in, stay then, do you believe in those gods done Ignatio? No, lady, I am a Christian and have no part with idols and those who worship them. I understand, it is only in their wealth that you would have part. Well, why should I not become a Christian also? I have learned something of your faith from the Senor yonder and see that it is great and pure and full of comfort and for us mortals. May grace be given to you to follow in that road, lady, but it is not Christian to taunt me about the wealth which I come to seek for the advantage of our race seeing that you know I ask for nothing for myself. Forgive me, she answered. My tongue is sharp as yours has been at times done Ignatio. Hark, the Senor calls me. For two more days we rested there by the Cueva till the Senor was fit to travel again, then we started on. Ten days we journeyed across the wilderness following the line of the ancient road and meeting with no traces of man, save such as were furnished by the familiar sight of ruined pyramids and temples. On the eleventh we began to ascend the slopes of the lofty range of mountains that pushed its flanks far out into the desert land. And on the twelfth we reached the snow line where we were obliged to abandon the three mules which remained to us seeing that no green food was to be found higher up and the path became too steep for them to find a footing on it. That night we slept with little to eat and a whole dug in the snow wrapped in our sarapes, or rather we tried to sleep for the rest was broken by the cold and the moaning of the bitter and mysterious winds which sprang up and passed away suddenly beneath a clear sky, also from time to time the thunder of distant avalanches rushing from the peaks above. How far must we travel up this snow, I asked of Zibalbe as we stood shivering in the ashy light of the dawn. Look yonder, he answered, pointing to where the first ray of the sun shone upon the surface of black rot far above us. There is the highest point and we should reach it before nightfall. Thus encouraged we pushed forward for hour after hour, Zibalbe marching ahead in silence until our sight was bewildered with snow blindness and I was seized with a fit of mountain sickness. Fortunately the climbing was not difficult so that by four in the afternoon we found ourselves beneath the shadow of the wall of black rot. Must we scale that precipice, I asked Zibalbe. No, he answered, it would not be possible without wings. There is a way through it. Twice in the old days bodies of white men searching for the golden city to sack it came to this spot but finding no path through the cliff they went home again though their hands were on the door. Does the wall of the rock encircle all the valley of the city? Asked the senior. No white man it ends many days journey away to the west but he who would travel round it must wade through a great swamp. Also the mountains may be crossed to the east by journeying for three days through snows and down precipices but so far as I have learned only one man lived to pass them a wandering Indian who found his way to the banks of the holy waters in the days of my grandfather. Now stay here while I search. Are you glad to see the gateway of your home Maya? I heard the senior ask. No, she answered almost fiercely. For here in the wilderness I have been happy but there sorrow awaits me and you. Oh if indeed I 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 and leave your father in Ignatio to finish the journey by themselves? You are more to me than my father though perhaps this solemn Ignatio is more to you than I am. No Maya, but having come so far I 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 for about a hundred paces threading our path through piles of boulders that lay at the foot of the precipice till we came to where Zabalbe stood leaning against the wall of rock in which we could see no break or opening. Although I trust you and as I believe you brought us together for its own purposes said the old Kachike yet I must follow the ancient customs and obey my oath to suffer no stranger to see the entrance to this mountain gate. Come hither daughter and blindfold these foreigners. She bade and she tied the handkerchief about the senor's face I heard her whisper. Fear not, I will be your eyes. Then we were taken by the hand and led this way and that till we grew confused. After we had walked some paces we were halted and left while as we judged from the sounds our guides moved something heavy. Next we were conducted down a steep incline through a passage so narrow and low that our shoulders rubbed the sides of it and in parts we were obliged to bend our heads at length after taking many sharp turns the passage became wider and the path smooth and level. Loose the bandages said the voice of Zabalbe. Maya did so and when our eyes were accustomed to the light we looked round us curiously to find that we stood at the bottom of a deep cleft or volcanic rift in the rock and made not by the hand of man but by that of nature working with her tools of fire and water. This cleft along which ran a road so solidly built and drained that save now and again were snowdrifts blocked it it was still easily passable after centuries of disuse did not measure more than 40 paces from wall to wall. On the other side of it towered sheer black cliffs honeycombed with doorways that could only have been reached by ladders. What are those I asked Zabalbe burying places? No he answered. Dwelling houses. They were there so say the records before our forefathers founded the city of the heart and in them dwelt cavemen, barbarians who fed on little and did not feel the cold. It was by following some of the cavemen through that passage which we have passed that the founder of the ancient city discovered this cleft and the good country and the great lake that lie beyond it where the rock dwellers whom our forefathers killed out used to live in the winter season. Once when I was young with some companions I entered these caves by means of ropes and ladders and found many strange things there such as stone axes rude ornaments of gold relics of the barbarians but let us press on or night will overtake us in the paths. By degrees the great cleft that had widened as we walked began to narrow again till it appeared to end in a second wall of rock passing round a boulder that lay at the foot of this wall Zabalbe led the way to the tunnel beyond. Do not fear the darkness he said the passage is short and there are no pitfalls so we followed the sound of his footsteps through the gloom till presently a spot of light appeared before us in another minute we stood on the further side of the mountain though we could see nothing of the places because of the falling shadows without pausing Zabalbe pushed on down the hill and suddenly turning to the right stop before the door of a house built of hewn 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 steamed through it and a man's voice was heard asking who is there without answering Zabalbe walked into the room it was a low vaulted apartment and at a table placed before the great fire which burnt upon the hearth set a man and a woman eating is this the way you watch for my return he asked in a stern voice haste now and make food ready for we are starved with cold and hunger the man who had risen stood hesitating but the woman whose position enabled her to see the face of the speaker caught him by the arm saying down to your knees husband it is the kachike come back pardon cried the man obeying to be frank oh lord it has been so dined in my ears down in the city under that neither you nor the lady of the heart would ever return again that I thought you must be ghosts yes and so they will think in the city where I have heard that tikal rules in your place peace said Zabalbe frowning heavily we left robes here did we not go lay them out in the sleeping chambers and with them others for these my guests well the woman prepares our meat the man bowed stretching out his arms till the backs of his hands touched the ground then taking an earthenware lamp from the side table he lit it and disappeared behind a curtain an example which the woman followed after she had rapidly removed the dishes that were upon the table and fed the fire with wood when they were gone we gathered round the hearth to bask in the luxury of its warmth what is this place as the senior Zabalbe who was wrapped in his own thoughts did not seem to hear him and Maya answered a poor hovel that is used as a rest house and by hunters of game no more these people are its keepers and were charged to watch for our return but they seem to have fulfilled their task ill pardon me I go to help them I come father they went and presently the senior awoke from a dose induced by the heat of the fire to see the custodian of the place staring at him in amazement not unmixed with awe what's the matter with the man and what does he want Ignatio he asked me in Spanish he wonders at your white skin and fair hair senior and says that he does not dare to speak to you because you must be one of the heaven born of whom their legends tell wherefore he asked me to say that the water to wash in and raiment to put on have been made ready for us if we will come with him accordingly we followed the Indian who led us into the passage at the back of the sitting chamber and thence to a small sleeping room one of several to which the passages gave access in this room which was lit by an oil lamp were two beds beds covered with blankets of deer skin and cotton sheets and laid upon them fine linen robes and syrapes made an alternate bands of gray and black feathers worked on to a foundation of stout linen standing upon the wooden stools in a corner of the room and half filled with steaming water were two basins which the senior noticed with astonishment were of hammered silver these people must be rich he said to me so soon as the keeper of the place had gone if they fashion the utensils of their rest rest houses of silver till now this story of the sacred city of which the ball bay was kachike and maya eris apparent has always sounded like a fairy tale to me but it seems that it is true after all the man's manner shows that the ball bay is a very important person then we put on the robes that have been provided for our use not without difficulty since their make was strange to us and returned to the eating room presently the curtain was drawn and the lady maya joined us the lady maya but so changed that we started in astonishment different indeed was she to the ill clad and travelstained girl who had been our companion for so many weeks now she was dressed in a robe of snowy white bordered with embroidery of a royal green and having the image of the heart traced in gold thread upon the breast on her feet were sandals also worked in green while round her throat wrists, waist and ankles shown circlets of dead gold her dark hair was no longer fell loose about her but was twisted into a single knot and confined in a little golden net and from her shoulders hung a cloak of pure white feathers relieved here and there by the delicate yellow plumes of the greater egret like you I have changed my garment she said next one nation is the dress ugly that you look astonished ugly answered the senor I think it is the most beautiful that I ever saw this is the most beautiful dress you ever saw my friend it is the simplest that I have wait till you see me in my royal robes wearing the great emeralds of the heart what will you say then I wonder I cannot tell but I say now that I don't know which is the most lovely you or your dress hush she said laughing yet with the note of earnestness in her voice you must not speak thus freely to me yonder in the past friend I was the Indian girl your fellow traveler here I am the lady of the heart then I wish that you had remained the Indian girl in the past he answered after a pause but perhaps you jest I was not altogether jesting she answered with a sigh you must be careful now or it might be ill for you I am the greatest lady in this land and doubtless my cousin Tikal will watch me closely see here comes my father as she spoke Zibalbe entered followed by the two Indians bearing food he was simply dressed in a white toga like robe similar to that which had been given to the senior in myself a cloak of black feathers covered and round his neck was hung a massive gold chain to which was attached the emblem of the heart also fashioned in plain gold we noticed as he came his daughter Maya made a curtsy to him which he acknowledged with a nod and that whenever they passed him the two Indians crouched almost to the ground evidently the friendship of our heart was done with and the person whom we had hitherto thought and spoken as an equal must henceforth be treated with respect indeed the proud faced white bearded chief seems so royal in his changed surroundings that we were almost moved to follow the example of the others and bow whenever he looked at us the food is ready said Zibalbe such as it is be seated I beg of you nay daughter you need not stand before me we are still fellow wanderers all of us and ceremony can stay till we have come to the city of the heart then we sat down and the Indians waited on us what the dishes consisted of we did not know but after our long privations it seemed to us that we had never eaten so excellent a meal or drunk anything so good as the native wine with which it was served still not withstanding our present comfort I think the Seniors heart misgave him and that he had presentiments of evil Maya and he loved one another but he felt that things were utterly changed as she herself had shown him while they wandered in some sense he had been head of the party as to speak truth among companions of a colored race a white man of gentle birth is always acknowledged to be by right of blood now things were changed and he must take his place as an alien wanderer admitted to the country upon sufferance and already this could be seen in Zimbabwe's manner and mode of address formally he had called him senior or even friend tonight when speaking to him he used a word which meant foreigner or unknown one and even myself he addressed by name without adding any title of respect one good thing however we found in this place who had liked tobacco for six weeks and more presently the Indian entered bearing cigarettes made by rolling the herb in the thin sheath that grows about the cobs of Indian corn come hither you said Zimbabwe to the Indian when he had handed us the cigarettes start now to the borders of the lake and advise the captains of the village of the corn growers that his lord has returned again commanding him in my name to furnish four traveling letters to be here within five hours after sunrise warn him also to have canoes and readiness to bear us across the lake but as he values his life to send no word of our coming to the city go now and swiftly the man bowed and snatching a spear and a feather cloak from a peg near the door vanished into the night heedless of the howling wind and the sleet that thrashed upon the roof how far is it to the village just a senior ten leagues or more Zimbabwe answered and the road is not good still if he does not fall from a precipice or lose his life in a snow drift he will be there within six hours come daughter it is time for us to rest our journey has been long it must be weary good night to you my guests tomorrow I shall hope to house you better thus bowing to us he left the room Maya rose to follow his example and going to the senior gave him her hand which he touched with his lips how good it is to taste tobacco again he said as Maya went no don't go to bed yet Ignatio take a cigarette and another glass of this Agua Ordiente and let us talk do you know friend it seems to me that Zimbabwe has changed I never was a great admirer of his character but perhaps I did not understand it do you not senior I think that I do like some Christian priests the man is a fanatic and like myself a dreamer also he is full of ambition and tyrannical one who will spare neither himself nor others where he has an end to gain or thinks that he can promote the welfare of his country and the glory of his gods think how brave and earnest the man must have been who in the bidding of a voice or a vision dared in his old age unaccompanied saved by his only child to lay down his state and travel almost without food through hundreds of leagues of bush and desert that none of his race had crossed for generations think what it must have been to him who for many years has been treated almost as divine to play the part of a medicine man in the forests of Yocotan and to suffer in his own person and in that of his daughter insults and torments at the hands of low white thieves yet all this and more Zimbabwe is born without a murmur because as he believes the object of his mission is attained but Ignatio what is the object of his mission and what have we to do with it to this hour I do not quite know well the object of his mission and indeed of my life is to build up the fallen empire of the city of the heart in short senior though I do not believe in his gods in Zimbabwe's vision I do believe seeing that they have led him to me whose aim is his aim and neither of us can succeed without the other well why not because I need wealth and he needs men and if he will give me the wealth I can give him men in thousands I hear answered the senior it sounds simple enough but perhaps you will both of you find that there are difficulties in the way what I do not understand however what part Maya and I are to play in this affair who are not anxious to regenerate a race or to build up an empire I suppose that we are only spectators in the game oh how come that be senior when she is lady of the heart and heiress to her father and when I added dropping my voice you and she have grown one another I did not know that you had noticed anything of that Ignatio you never seem to observe our affection and as you hate women so much I did not speak of it he answered coloring I am not altogether blind senior also is it possible for a man not to know when a woman comes between him and the friend but of that I will say nothing for it is as it should be besides you might scarcely understand me if I did no no senior you cannot be left out of this game you are too deep in it already though what part you will play I cannot tell it depends perhaps upon what the gods revealed to Zimbabwe or what he addresses that they reveal at present he is well disposed towards you because he thinks that the oracle may declare you to be the son of Ketzel through whom his people shall be redeemed since it seems that here and there is some such prophecy and for this reason it is that he has not forbidden the friendship between you and his or so he hinted to me but be warned senior for if he comes to know that you are not the man then he will sweep you aside as of small account and you may bid farewell to the lady of the heart I will not do that well I live he answered quietly no senior perhaps not well you live but those who stand in the path of priests and kings do not live long still though there is cause to be cautious there is none to be downhearted seeing that if you are not the man I may be in which case I shall be able to help you as I have sworn to the lady Maya that I will do or perhaps you will be able to help me oh at any rate we will stand together said the senior and now as there is no use in talking of the future I think that we'd better go to sleep of one thing however you may be certain unless she dies or I die I mean to marry Maya end of chapter 13 heart of the world by H. Ryder Haggard this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org chapter 14 the city of the heart well it was yet dark on the following morning we were awakened by the voice of Albae calling us arise he said it is time to start upon our road are the letters here I asked no nor can be for some hours I desire to reach the city this night therefore we must push forward on foot to meet them then we rose and having no choice dressed ourselves as best we could the country that had been given to us for our own were but rags in which we were ashamed to be seen in the common room we found Zibalbe and the lady Maya eat said the old man pointing to food that was ready and let us be going ten minutes later we were outside the house there was no wind but at this great height the air is of so piercing a quality that we were glad to hold our Serapis round us and walk briskly forward Zibalbe leading the way at first a grey gloom rain but presently snowy peak shown through it everywhere radiant with the hues of the unrizen sun although the mountain sides beneath us were still wrapped in night by degrees as the light grew we saw that the country our feet was shaped like a bowl whereof the mountain range upon which we stood formed the rim and at the bottom of the bowl fed by numberless streams that had their sources among the surrounding snows lay the lake the holy waters of this people of all this however we could as yet see little since the vast expanse beneath us lay hidden in volumes of mist that moved and rolled like the face of ocean never before had we looked upon anything so strange as this dense garment of vapor while the light of heaven gathered upon its surface tinging it with lines and patches of color it seemed as though a map of the world was unrolled before us continents seas islands and cities formed themselves only to disappear in quick succession and assume new and endless shapes it is beautiful is it not, said Maya but wait until the mist breaks look it is beginning as she spoke of a sudden the sea of mist grew thin and opened in its center and through the gap thus formed showed first the pyramids and temple tops and then the entire panorama of the city heart of the world floating as it were upon the face of the holy waters it was far away but now that the night fog no longer thickened the air so clear was the atmosphere and so high were we above it that it seemed to be almost at our feet the city which appeared to be surrounded by a wall was built of marble or some other snow white stone whereon the light gleamed and flashed it stood upon a heart-shaped island and round about the shores of this island stretching further than the eye could reach sparkled the blue waters of the holy lake by degrees the ring of mist rolled up the sides of the mountains and vanished and in place of it the round bowl of the valley was filled with the clear light of day now we could see the shores of the lake with their green fringe of reeds and above them grasslands threaded by silver streams and above these again upon the flanks of the mountains great forests of oak and cedars rising almost to the snow line as the huge round shouldered mountains stretched in a majestic sweep till they melted into the blue of the horizon while here and there some tall snow-robed peak the cone of an extinct volcano towered above us like a sentinel there lies my country said Maya with a proud wave of her hand does it please you white man it pleases me well Maya he answered that now less than ever can I understand why you wish to leave it because though lakes and mountains and cities full of wealth are fine things it is not to these but to the men and women among whom we live that we must look for happiness some people might think otherwise Maya they might say that happiness must be sought for in ourselves at least I could be happy in such a land as this oh you think so now she answered meaningly but when you have been a while in the city yonder you will think otherwise oh she went on passionately if indeed you care for me we should never have crossed that mountain behind us but you do not care for me not truly for all this time you've been half ashamed of your affection for an Indian girl whom you were obliged to become fond of because she was pretty and you were so much with her and she chanced to save your life yes you would have been ashamed to marry me according to your customs and to show me as your wife people me the wandering Indian with a mad father whom you found in the land hands of thieves here it will be different for here at least I am a great lady and you will see the people in the streets bow themselves to the ground before me and if I say that a man shall die you will see that man killed also here I have wealth woman and you will be fond of me for that you are very unjust he broke in angrily it is shameful that you should speak to me thus for no cause perhaps I am unjust she answered with a sob but there are so many troubles before us first there is Tikal what does Tikal want answered the senior he wants to marry me or become kachike of the city in my right which is the same thing at least he will not give me up without a struggle then there is my father who serves two masters only his gods in his country and who will use me like a piece in a game if it suits his purpose yes and you too our good days are done with the evil ones have to come and after them the night hence forward we shall find few opportunities of speaking even for I shall be surrounded by officers and waiting ladies who will watch my every action and hear my every word and my father will watch me also now I begin to be sorry that I did not take your advice and stop on the further side answered the senior do you think that we could escape there no it is too late they would track us down we must go on now and meet our fate whatever it may be only swear to me by my gods or your own or whatever you hold dear that you will cleave to me till I am dead as I will cleave to you taking his hand and hers she looked up appealingly into his face at this moment Zibalbe who was walking in front lost in his own thoughts chance to turn and see them come hither daughter and you white man he said in a stern voice listen both of you I am old but my sight and hearing are still keen though yonder in the wilderness I took no heed of much that I saw and heard here in my own land it is otherwise learn white man that the lady of the heart is set far above you and there I think she will remain do you understand my meaning perfectly answered the senior striving to control his anger but chief it is a pity you did not see well and tell me this before had it not been for what we and one dead were able to do to save you today your bones would have been whitening in the forest why did you not tell me there that I was no fit company for your daughter because you were sent by the gods by me service and because there I had need of you white man answered zebal bay quietly as maybe I shall have need of you again had it not been for that chance we should have parted company on the farther side of the mountain in truth I wish that we had exclaimed the senior I may come to wish it too said the old man grimly but you are here and not there perhaps for so long as you shall live and I would have you remember that you are in my power a word from me will set you high or lay you low beneath the earth therefore be warned and take with gratitude which it shall please me to give you no do not look behind you escape is impossible submit yourself to my will in this and everything and all shall be well with you struggle against it and I will crush you I have spoken be pleased to walk in front of me and do you daughter walk behind now I saw that the senior's rage was great and that he was about to answer angrily and lifted my hand in warning while Maya looked at him in treatingly he saw and checked himself I hear your words chief he said in a forced voice you are right I am in your power useless for me to answer you and he took his place in front as he had been commanded while Maya fell behind as I walked on side by side with I spoke to him saying you use sharp words toward him who is my brother chief and therefore towards me I speak as I must he answered coldly many troubles await me at the city did you not hear what that nave said last night that to call my nephew whom I left in charge rules in my stead well this girl of mine who is affianced to him and through whom he hopes to govern in after years may be the only bait that will govern his place for he looks upon me as one dead and it will not please him to lay down the route of power how should it please him then and those who follow him to see a white stranger holding that daughter's hand and whispering in her ear Ignacio I tell you that such a sight would provoke a war against me therefore it is that I spoke sharply well there is yet time and therefore you will do well to drive the nail home seeing that if I fall your plans will come to nothing and your life be forfeit I made no answer for at that moment we turned a corner and came face to face with the bearers of the litters who had summoned to meet us there were 40 of these men or more for the most part they were tall and well shaped with regular features and like Zabalbe and Maya very fair for Indians but the look upon their faces was different from any that I have seen among my people was not stupid or brutal or even empty rather did it suggest weariness the youngest man there notwithstanding his rounded cheeks and eyes full of health seemed as though he were weighed down by the memories of many years weariness was the master not of their bodies for they were very strong and active but of their minds and looking at them I could understand what Zabalbe meant when he said race was outworn even the sight of the white face of the senor strange as it must have been to them did not seem to move them they stared indeed muttering something to each other as to the length and color of his beard and that was all but Zabalbe they said in low guttural tones father we salute you then at a signal given by their captain they cast themselves upon the ground before him and lay there without stretched arms as though they were dead rise my children said Zabalbe summoning the captain of the bearers he talked to him while his companions ate food that they had brought with them and I noted that what he heard seemed to give him little pleasure next he ordered us to enter the litters which were of rude make being constructive chairs without curtains lashed between two poles and carried each of them by eight bearers for the road was very steep and rough we started forward down the mountain and in an hour we had left the region of snow behind and entered the cedar forests these great trees grew in groups which were separated by glades of turf the home of herds of deer so thick was their foliage that a twilight rain beneath them while from each branch hung a fringe of gray Spanish moss that swayed to and fro in the draft of the mountains breeze everywhere stretched vistas that brought to my mind memories of the dimly lighted nave of the great cathedral at Mexico roofed by the impenetrable bows of these cedars whereof the trunks might have been supporting columns and the scent their leaves the odor of incense after the cedar belt came the oak groves and then miles of beautiful turf slopes clothed and rich grass starred with flowers truly it was a lovely land it was late in the afternoon before we descended the last of these slopes and entered the tract of alluvial soil that lay between them and the lake where the climate was much warmer it was easy to see by the irrigation ditches and other signs that this belt of country had always supplied the inhabitants of the city of the heart with corn and all necessary crops here grew great groves of sugarcane and cocoa bushes laden with their purple pods together with many varieties of fruit trees planted in separate orchards soon it became clear to us that the greater part of these ancient orchards were untended since their fruit rotted in heaps upon the ground currently they had been planted in more prosperous days and now their supply exceeded the wants of the population at length as the evening began to fall we entered the village of corn growers a half ruined place of which the houses were for the most part built of adobe or mud bricks and roofed with a concrete of white lime in the center of the village was a plaza planted round with trees and having in its midst a fountain near to which stood a simple altar piled with fruit and flowers close to this altar the inhabitants of the village to the number of a hundred or so were gathered to meet us most of the men had but just come in from their labors for their garments and feet were stained with fresh earth and they held copper hose keeping hooks in their hands all of these were upon their faces the same look of weariness of mind which we had noticed in the bearers so monotonous were their accountances indeed that I turned my eyes impatiently to the group of women who were standing behind them like their husbands and brothers these women were very fair for Indians and handsome in person they also had been stamped with melancholy the sight of the senor's white skin and chestnut colored beard seemed for some few moments to rouse them from their attitude of listless indifference soon however they fell into it again and began to chat idly or to play with and pull to pieces the flowers that every one of them wore at their girdle and among the crowd and it was strange to observe how great was the resemblance of the individuals composing it to each other indeed had they all been members of a single family it could not have been more marked seeing that it was difficult for a stranger to distinguish one woman from another of about the same age when Zubalbe descended from his litter all those presents prostrated themselves and remained thus till followed by some of the headmen he had passed into a house which was made ready for his use leaving us without do all your people look so sad I asked the lady Maya yes she answered that is all the common people who labor it is otherwise with the nobles who are of a different blood here Don Ignatio there are two classes the lords and the people and of the people each family is forced to work for three months in the year the other nine being given to them for rest the fruits of their labor are gathered into storehouses and distributed among all the children of the heart but the temples and many of the nobles have their own serfs who have served them from father to son and what happens if they will not work as the senior then they must starve for nothing has served out to them or their families from the common store and when they grow hungry they are set to the heaviest tasks now we understood why these people look so weary and listless what could be expected from men and women without ambition or responsibility the gain of whose toil was placed to the public credit and doled out to them in rations in my old age I have heard that there are teachers who advocate such a system for all mankind but of this I am sure that had they dwelt in the people of the heart where it had been enforced for many centuries they would cease to preach this doctrine for there at least it did not promote the welfare of the race presently a messenger came from Zimbabwe to summon us into the house where we found an ample meal prepared consisting chiefly of fish from the lake baked wild fowl by the time we had finished eating and had drunk the chocolate that was served to us in cups of hammered silver the night had fallen completely I asked Zimbabwe if we should sleep there to which he replied shortly that we were about to start for the city accordingly we set out by the light of the moon and were guided to a little harbor in the shore of the lake where a large canoe started with a mast and sail and man by ten Indians was waiting for us we embarked and the wind being off land hoisted the sail and started towards the island of the heart which stood at a distance of about 15 miles from the mainland the breeze was light but after the cold of the mountains the air was so soft and balmy and the scene so new and strange that I for one did not regret our slow progress nobody spoke in the boat for all of us were lost in our own reflections and the Indians were awed to silence by the presence of their lord who alone seemed impatient since from time to time he pulled his beard and muttered to himself so we glided across the blue lake whose quiet was broken only by the whistling wings of the wildfowl travelling to their feeding grounds by the sudden leaps of great fish rising in pursuit of some nightfly and by the lapping of the water against the wooden sides of the canoe before us luminous and unearthly in the perfect moonlight shown the walls of the temples of the mysterious city which we had travelled so far to reach we watched them growing more and more distant minute by minute and as we watched strange hopes and fears to possession of our hopes this was no dream before us lay the fabled golden town we so long to see soon our feet would pass white walls and our eyes behold its ancient civilization what waits us there whispered the senior looking at Maya she heard his words and shook her head sadly there was no hope in her eyes which were dimmed with tears then he turned to me as though for comfort the easy fires of enthusiasm burnt up within me and I answered fear not all is one and we shall overcome all difficulty and danger the useless wealth of yonder golden city will be ours by his help I shall rake the stored up vengeance of ages upon the oppressors of my race and create a great Indian dominion stretching from sea to sea whereof this city shall be the heart he heard and smiled it may be so for your sake I trust that it will be so but we seek different ends Ignatio and he looked again at the lady Maya on we glided through the moonlight and the silence for from the town came no sound save the cry of the watchman calling the hours as they kept their guard along the ancient walls at length we entered the shadow of the holy city lying dark upon the waters and the Indians getting out their paddles for the wind no longer served us rode the canoe up a stone embank canal that led to a water gate we halted in front of the gate where there was no man to be seen in an impatient voice Zimbabwe bad the captain hailed the guardian the gate and presently a man came down the steps yawning and inquired who was there I, the catchy K said Zimbabwe open indeed that is strange answered the man seeing that this night the catchy K holds his marriage feast at the palace yonder and there is but one catchy K of the people of the heart get back to the mainland wanderers and return in the daytime when the gates stand wide when Zimbabwe heard these words he cursed aloud in his anger but Maya started as though with joy I tell you that I am Zimbabwe come home again your Lord and no other he cried and you will be wise to do my bidding the man stared and hesitated till the captain of the boat spoke to him saying fool would you become food for fishes this is the Lord Zimbabwe return from the dead then he hastened to open the gate as fast as his fear would let him pardon father pardon he cried prostrating himself but the Lord to call who rules in your place has given it out that you were dead in the wilderness and commanded that your name should be spoken no more in the city Zimbabwe swept by him without a word when he had passed up the marble steps and through the waterway pierced in the thickness of the frowning walls he halted and addressing the captain of the boatman said let this man be scourged tomorrow at noon in the marketplace that thenceforth he may learn not to sleep at his post on the further side of the wall ran a wide street bordered by splendid houses built of white stone which led to the central square of the city a mile or more away up this street we walked swiftly and in silence and as we went I noticed that much of it was grass grown and that many of the great houses seemed to be deserted though light came from some of the lattice window places I could see no sign of any human being here is the city whispered the senior to me but where are the people doubtless they celebrate the wedding feast and the great square I answered hark I hear them as I spoke the wind turned a little and a sound of singing floated down it momentarily clear as we approached the square another five minutes passed and we were entering it it was a wide place covering not less than 30 acres of ground and in its center rising 300 feet into the air gleamed the pyramid of the temple of the heart crowned by the star of holy fire that flickered eternally upon its summit between the walls of the enclosure of this pyramid and the great buildings that formed the sides of the square the inhabitants of the city were gathered for their midnight feast all were dressed in white robes while many wore glittering feather capes upon their shoulders and were crowned with wreaths of flowers some of them were dancing some of them were singing while others watched the tricks of jugglers and buffoons most of their number were seated round little tables eating drinking smoking and making love we noticed that at those tables the children seemed the most honorable guests and that everybody petted them and waited on their words nothing to be more beautiful or stranger to our eyes than this innocent festival celebrated by the moon yet the sight of it did not please zibal bay along the side of the square ran an avenue of trees bearing white flowers with a heavy scent and zibal bay motioned to us to follow him into their shadows many of the tables were placed just beyond the spread of these trees so that he was able to stop from time to time and unseen himself to listen to the talk that was passing at them presently he faltered thus opposite to a table at which sat a man of middle age and a woman young and pretty what they said interested him and we who were close by his side understood it for the difference between the dialect of these people and the Maya tongue is so small that even the senior had little difficulty in following their talk the feast is merry tonight said the man and so it should be seeing that yesterday the lord Tikal was elected Kachike by the council of the heart and today he was wedded in the presence of the people to Nahua the beautiful child of the lord Matahi and it was a fine sight said the man though for my part I think it early to proclaim him K. Zubalbe might yet come back and then oh Zubalbe will never come back husband or the lady Maya either they have perished in the wilderness long ago for her I am sorry because she was so lovely and different from the other great ladies but I do not grieve much for him for he was a hard taskmaster to us common people also he was stingy why Tikal has given more feast during the last ten months then Zubalbe gave in as many years moreover he has relaxed the laws so that we poor women may now wear ornaments like our betters and she glanced at a gold bracelet upon her wrist it is easy to be generous with the goods of others answered the man Zubalbe was the bee who stored Tikal is the wasp who eats they say that the old fellow was mad but I do not believe it I think that he was a greater man than the rest of us that is all who saw the wasting of the people and desired to find a means to stop it oh certainly he was mad answered the woman how could he stop the wasting of the people by taking his daughter to wander in the forest until they died of starvation both of them if anybody dwells out yonder it is a folk of white devils of whom we have heard who kill and enslave the Indians that they may rob them of their wealth and we do not desire that such should be shown the way to our city also what does it matter to us if the people do waste away we have all things that we wish those who come after must see to it yet wife I have heard you say that you desired children suddenly the woman's face grew sad ah she answered if Sibalbe will give me a child I will take back all my words about him and proclaim him the wisest of men instead of what he is or rather was an old fool gone lazy with vanity and too much praying but he is dead and if he were not he could never do this that is beyond the power of the gods themselves if indeed the gods are anything except a dream so what is the use of talking about him let us enjoy the feast that T'Kal gives us husband and do not speak of children lest I should weep those of my sisters who have been blessed with them then at a sign from Sibalbe we moved on but Maya hanging back for a moment whispered look at my father's face never have I seen him so angry yet these tidings are not altogether ill and she glanced at the senior now Sibalbe walked on swiftly pulling at his beard and muttering to himself till he came to the great archway where two soldiers armed with copper spears stood on guard chatting with women in the crowd that gathered round the open door and eating sweet meats which they offered them Sibalbe covered his face with the corner of his robe and bidding us to do likewise began to walk through the archway where upon the two soldiers crossing their spears set his name in title by whose orders do you ask said Sibalbe by order of our lord the kachike who celebrates his marriage feast with the nobles his guests answered one of them say are you of their number who come so late then Sibalbe uncovered his face and said look upon me man did I command you to shut my own doors against me he looked and gasped it is the kachike come home again how then do you say that you keep the doors by order of the kachike can there be two kachike in the city of the heart Sibalbe in a bitter voice without waiting for an answer followed by the three of us into the plaza or courtyard of the palace where many fountains splashed upon the marble pavement passing beneath a colonnade and through an open doorway whence light flowed of a sudden we found ourselves in a great wonderful chamber a hundred feet or more in length having a roof of paneled cedar supported by a double row of wooden columns visibly carved between which were set tables laden with fruit and flowers drinking vessels and other ornaments of gold the walls also were cedar paneled and hung over with tapestries worked in silver and ranged along them stood grotesque images of dwarfs and monkeys fashioned in solid gold each of which held in its hand a silver lamp which always was a small table and behind it seated upon thrown like chairs were a man and a woman having an armed guard on either side of them the man was magnificently dressed in a white robe broidered with the symbol of the heart and a glittering feathered cloak upon his brow was a circlet of gold from which rose a panache or plume of green feathers held a little golden scepter tipped with an emerald he was of middle height very stoutly built and about five and thirty years of age having straight black hair that hung down upon his shoulders in face he was handsome but forbidding for his dark eyes shown with a strange fire beneath the beatling brows and his powerful mouth and chin were a sullen look he could not leave them even when he smiled the lady at his side was also beautifully attired in white bridal robes bordered with silver and having the royal heart worked upon her breast well on her brow arms and bosom shown strings of emeralds she was young and tall with splendid eyes and a proud handsome face somewhat marred however in her mouth and it was easy to see that she loved the husband at her side for all her looks were towards him between us and this royal pair stretched the length of the great hall filled with people for the most part of the feasters had left their seats so splendidly attired and so bright with the flash of gems and gold that for a few moments the company who may have numbered two or three hundred stood in groups with their backs toward us leaving a clear space at the far end of the chamber where beautiful women in filmy silken robes adorned with flowers and turquoises were singing and dancing to the sound of pipes before the bride and bridegroom on the throne End of Chapter 14 Heart of the World by H. Ryder Haggard This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Chapter 15 How Zabolbe Came Home For a while we stood unnoticed in the shadow of the doorway observing this strange beautiful scene Till, as Zabolbe was about to advance toward the throne the Lord Tikal held up his scepter as a signal and suddenly the women ceased from their dance and song At the sight of the uplifted scepter Zabolbe halted again and drew back further into the shadow motioning us to do likewise Then Tikal began to speak in a rich deep voice that filled the hole with counselors and nobles of the heart he said and you high-born ladies wives and daughters of the nobles hear me but yesterday as you know I took myself the place and power of my forefathers and by your wish and will I was proclaimed the sole chief and ruler of the people of the heart Now I have bidden you to my marriage feast that you may grace my neptals and share my joy for be it known to you that tonight I have taken in marriage Nahua the beautiful daughter of the High Lord Matai chief of the astronomers keeper of the sanctuary and president of the council of the heart her in the presence of you all I name as my first and lawful wife the sharer of my power and your ruler under me who whatever be tied cannot be put away from my bed and thrown and as such I call upon you to salute her then ceasing from his address he turned and kissed the woman at his side saying Hail to you lady of the heart whom it has pleased the gods to lift up in bless may children be given to you and with them happiness and power for many years there on the great company bowed themselves before Nahua his fair face flushed with pride and joy and repeated as with one voice Hail to you lady of the heart whom it has pleased the gods to lift up in bless may children be given to you and with them happiness and power for many years Nobles went on Tikal when the ceremony was finished it has come to my ears that there are some who murmur against me saying that I have no right to the ancient scepter of Kachike which I hold in my hand this night Nobles I have somewhat to say to you of this matter that tomorrow after the sacrifice I shall repeat in the ears of the common people and I say it having consulted with my counsel the masters of the mysteries of the heart tomorrow a year will have gone by since Sebolbe my uncle who was Kachike before me and his only child and heiress of his rank in power the lady Maya my Afiance bride left the city upon a certain mission before they departed on this mission it was agreed between Sebolbe Maya the lady of the heart and myself and the counsel the brotherhood of the heart that I should rule as next heir during the absence of Sebolbe and his daughter and that if they should not return within two years that their heritage should be mine forever to this agreement I set my name with sorrow for them as now I held that my uncle was mad and in his madness went to doom taking with him his daughter whom I loved yet when they were gone I fulfilled it to the letter but trouble arose among the people for they will not listen to the voice of one who is not there anointed lord but say we will wait till Sebolbe comes again and hear his command upon these matters also Sebolbe being absent there is no high priest left in the land so that until a successor was raised up to him certain of the inmost mysteries of our worship must go uncelebrated thus bringing down upon us the anger of the nameless God so it came about that many pressed it on me that for the sake of the people and the welfare of the city I should shorten the period of my regency and suffer myself to be anointed but remembering my promise I answered them sharply saying that I would not depart from it by a hair's breadth that come what might two full years must be completed before I sat me down in the place of my fathers to this mine then I held till three days since when those of the people to whose lot it fell in turn to pass to the mainland there to cultivate the fields that are apportioned to the services of the temple refused to get them to their labor declaring that the high priest alone had authority over them and there was no high priest in the city then in my perplexity I took counsel with the Lord Matai master of the stars and he consulted the stars on my behalf all night long he searched the heavens and he read in them that Zabalbe who led by a lying dream broke through the laws of the land and wandered across the mountains has paid the price of his folly and is dead in the wilderness together with his daughter that was my affianced and the lady of the heart is it not so Matai now the person addressed a stout man with a bald head quick shifting eyes and a thick and grizzled beard stepped forward and said bowing if my wisdom is not at fault such was the message of the stars oh Lord nobles went on to call you have heard my testimony and the testimony of Matai whose voice is the voice of truth for these reasons I have suffered myself to be anointed and set over you as your ruler seeing that I am the heir of Zabalbe by law and by descent for these reasons also she to whom I was affianced being dead I have taken to wife Nahu the daughter of Matai say do you accept us some few of the company were silent but the rest cried we accept you to call and Nahu and long may you rule over us according to the ancient customs of the land it is well my brethren answered to call now before we drink the parting cup have any of you ought to say to me I have something to say to you cried Zabalbe in a loud voice from the shadows wherein we stood at the far end of the hall at the sound of his voice the tones of which he seemed to know to call started and rose in fear but recovering himself said advance from the shadows whoever you are and say your say where men may see you turning to his daughter and to us Zabalbe and do as he did then veiling his face with the corner of his robe he walked up the hall the crowd of nobles and ladies opening a path till we stood before the throne here he uncovered himself as we did also in standing sideways so that he could be seen both by to call and all that company he opened his lips to speak he could pass them a cry of astonishment broke from the nobles and of a sudden the scepter fell from the hand of to call and rolled along the floor Zabalbe said the cry it is Zabalbe come back or the ghost of him and with him the lady of the heart I nobles he said in a quiet voice although his hand shook with rage it is I Zabalbe your lord come home and not too soon as it would seem what my nephew were you so hungry for my place and power that you must break the oath you swore upon the heart and seize them before the appointed time and you Matai have you lost your skill or have the gods smitten you with a curse that you you prophesize falsely saying that it was written in the stars that we who are alive were dead thereby lifting up your daughter to the seat of the lady of the heart nay do not answer me standing yonder I have heard all your story I say to you to call that you are a foresworn traitor and that you Matai that you are a charlatan and a liar who have dared to use the holy art for your own ends and the advancement of your house on both of you will I be avenged I and on all those who have abetted you in your crimes guards seize that man and the lord Hatai with him and let them be held fast till I shall judge them now the soldiers that stood on either side of the thrones hesitated for a moment and then advanced toward to call as though to lay hands upon him in obedience to Zabalbe's orders but now rose and waved them off saying what dare you to touch your anointed lord back I say to you if you would save yourselves from the doom of sacrilege living or dead the day of Zabalbe is done for the council of the heart has set his crown upon the brow of to call and whether for good or ill their decree cannot be changed I said to call whose courage should come back to him the lady Nawa speaks truth touch me not to look upon this sun but all the while he spoke his eyes were fixed upon Maya whose beautiful face he watched as though it were that of some lost love risen from the dead now as Zabalbe was about to speak again Matai the astronomer bowed before him and said be not angry but hear me my lord you have traveled far and you are weary and a weary man is apt at wrath you think that you have been wronged and doubtless all this that has chance to chance is strange to you but now is not the time for us to give count of our acts and stewardship or for you to harken rest this night and tomorrow on the pyramid in the presence of the people all things shall be made clear to you and justice be done to all welcome you Zabalbe and to you also daughter of the heart and say who are these strangers that you bring with you from the desert lands across the mountains Zabalbe paused a while looking round him out of the corners of his eyes like a wolf in a trap for he sought to discover the temper of the nobles finding that there were but a few present whom he could trust to help him he lifted his head and answered you are right Matai I am weary for age, travel and the faithlessness of men have worn me out tomorrow these matters shall be dealt with in the presence of the people and there before the altar it shall be made known whether I am their lord or you to call there too I will tell you who these strangers are and why I have brought them across the mountains until then I leave them in your charge for your own sake charging you to keep them well nay, here I will neither eat nor drink do you come with me and he called to certain lords by name whom he knew to be faithful to him then without more words he turned and left the hall followed by a number of nobles it seems that my father has forgotten me, said Maya with a laugh when he had gone greeting to you all friends and to you my cousin Tikal and greeting also to your wife who once my waiting lady by the gift of fortune has now been lifted up to take my place in title whatever may be the issue of these broils may you be happy in each other's love Tikal and Nawa now Tikal descended from the throne and bowed before her saying I swear to you, Maya no, do not swear she broke in but give me and my friends mine and some fragments from your wedding feast for we are hungry I thank you how beautiful is that bride's robe which Nawa wears and surely those emeralds were once my own well let her take them from me as a wedding gift make room I pray you to call and suffer these ladies to tell me of their tidings for remember it is pleasant to see faces that are dear to me for a while we sat in aid or made pretence to eat well Maya talked thus lightly and all that company watched us for we were wonderful in their eyes who never till now had seen a white man indeed the sight of the senior auburn haired long bearded and white skin was so marvelous to them like the common people they forgot their courtesy and crowded round him in their amazement still there were two who took small note of the senior or of me and these were Tikal who gazed at Maya as he stood behind her chair serving her like some waiting slave and Nawa his wife who sat silent and neglected on her throne sullenly noting every word and gesture at length she could bear this play no longer but rising from her seat began to move down the chamber make room for the bride ladies said Maya cousin good night it grows late and your wife awaits you then muttering I know not what Tikal turned and went and side by side the pair walked down the great hall filled by their guard of soldiers how beautiful is the bride and how brave the groom said Maya as she watched them go as yet I have seen couples that looked happier on their wedding day well it is time to rest friends good night I leave these strangers in your keeping guard them well and stay bring them my apartments tomorrow after they have eaten for it is my father's will I would show them something of the city before the hour of noon when we meet upon the temple top when she had gone bowed to us with much ceremony and begged us to follow him which we did across the courtyard and through many passages to a beautiful chamber dimly lighted with silver lamps that have been made ready for us here were beds covered with silk and wrappings and on the table in the center of the room cool drinks and many sorts of fruits but so tired were we that we took little note of these things bidding good night to Matai who looked at us curiously and announced that he would visit us early in the morning we made fast the copper bolts upon the door and the beds weary as I was I could not sleep in this strange place and when from time to time my eyes closed the sound of feet passing without our chamber door roused me again to wakefulness of one thing I was sure that Zabalbe was not wanted here in his own city and there would be trouble on the morrow when he told his tale to the people apparently to Cal would not suffer himself easily to be thrust from the place he had usurped and he had many friends doubtless it was their feet that I heard outside the door as they hurried to and fro from the chamber where Matai sat taking counsel with them what would be our fate I wondered in this struggle for power that must come these people feared strangers I could read in their faces and doubtless they would be rid of us if they might well we had a good friend in Maya and the rest we must leave to Providence thinking thus at length I fell asleep to be awakened by the voice of the senior who was sitting upon the edge of his bed singing a song and looking round the chamber for now the daylight streamed the lattices I wished him good morrow and asked him why he sang because of the lightness of my heart he answered we have reached the city at last and it is far more splendid and wonderful than anything I dreamed of also the luck is with us for this Tikal has taken another woman in marriage who to judge from the look of her will not readily let him go and therefore Maya has no more from him thirdly there is enough treasure in this town if what we saw last night may be taken as a sample to enable you to establish three Indian empires if you wish and doubtless Zibal Bey will give you as much of it as you want therefore friend Ignatio you should sing as I do instead of looking as gloomy as though you saw your own coffin being brought in at the door I shook my head and answered I fear you speak lightly there is trouble brewing in this city and we shall be drawn into it for the struggle between Tikal and Zibal Bey will be to the death as for the lady Maya of this I am certain that wife or no wife Tikal still loves her and will strive to take her I saw it in his eyes last night lastly it is true enough that here there is boundless wealth but whether its owners will suffer me to have any portion of it to forward my great purposes useless though it be to them is another matter there was a man in the Bible called Job and he had a friend named Alifas I think you are that friend come to life again Ignatio answered the senior laughing for my part I mean to make the best of this present and not to trouble myself about the future or the politics of this benighted people but there is someone knocking at the door I rose and undid the bolt whereon attendants entered bearing goblets of chocolate and little cakes upon a tray and they led us to the baths which were of marble and very beautiful one of them being filled with water from a warm spring and then to a chamber where breakfast was made ready for us while we sat at the table Matai came to us and I saw that he had not slept that night for his eyes were heavy I trust that you have rested well strangers he said courtesely answered well his more than I have done for it is my business to watch the stars especially my own star which just now is somewhat obscured and he smiled if you have finished your meal my commands are to lead you to the apartments of the lady Maya who wishes to show you something of our city which being strangers may interest you if I do not ask too much perhaps you will tell me to what race you belong and he bowed to the senior we have heard of white men here though we have learned no good of them and tradition tells us that our first ruler Kukumats was of this race are you of his blood stranger I do not know answered the senior laughing I come from a cold country far beyond the sea where all the men are as I am then the inhabitants of this country must be goodly to behold answered Matai gravely I thank you for your courtesy son of the sea and answering my questions so readily I did not ask it from curiosity alone since the people in this city are terrified of strangers and clamor for some account of you doubtless are friends a ball bay will satisfy them I said good now be pleased to follow me Matai led us across courts and through passages till we reached a little anti room filled with ancient carvings and decorated with flowers where some girls stood chatting tell the lady Maya that her guests await her said Matai then he turned to take his departure adding in a low voice a doubtless we shall meet at noon upon the pyramid and there you will see I know not what whatever befalls be sure of this strangers that I will protect you if I can farewell one of the girls vanished through a doorway at the further end of the chamber and having offered us seats the others stood together at a little distance watching us out of the corners of their eyes presently the door opened and through it came Maya wearing a silken syrupy they covered her head in shoulders and looking very sweet and beautiful in the shaded light of the room greeting friends she said as we bowed before I have my fathers leave to show you something of this city that you long so much to see these ladies here will accompany us and a guard but we shall want no litters until we have ascended the great temple for I desire that you should see the view from fence before the place is numbered with the multitude come if you're ready accordingly we set out Maya walking between us while the guards and the ladies followed after crossing the square which had been the scene of the festival of the previous night when the early morning was almost deserted we came to the enclosure of the courtyard of the pyramid a limestone wall worked with sculptures of hunting scenes relieved by a border of writhing snakes and at intervals by emblems of the heart at the gateway of this wall we paused to contemplate the mighty mass of the pyramid that toward us towered over us there is one in the land of Egypt that is bigger so said the senior although he believed this to be a more wonderful site because of its glittering slopes of limestone whose expanse was broken only by a vast stair that ran up its eastern face from base to summit it is a great building said Maya noting our astonishment and one that could not be reared in these days tradition says that five and twenty thousand men worked on it for fifty years twenty thousand of them cutting and carrying the stone and five thousand laying the blocks where did the material come from then asked the senior some of it was hewn from beneath the base of the temple itself she answered the most was born in big canoes from queries on the mainland for these queries can still be seen is the pyramid hollow then I asked yes, in it are many chambers for the most part store and treasure houses and beneath its base lies crypts the burying place of the Kachukes their wives and children the holy sanctuary of the heart which you being of the brotherhood may perhaps be permitted to visit come let us climb the stair then she led us across the courtyard to the foot of the stairway forty feet or more in breadth which ran to the platform of the pyramid in six flights each of fifty steps and linked together by resting places up these flights we toiled slowly followed by the ladies and the guard till at length our labor was rewarded and we stood upon the dizzy edge of the pyramid before us was a platform bordered by a low wall large enough to give standing room to several thousand people on the western side of this platform stood a small marble house used as a place to store fuel and as a watchtower by the priests who were on duty day and night tending the sacred fire which flared in a brazier from its roof situated at some distance from this house and immediately in front of it was a small altar wreathed with flowers but for the rest of the area was empty look said Maya the city beneath us was built upon a low heart shaped island so hollow in its center that once it might have been the crater of some volcano or perhaps a mere ridge of land enclosing a lagoon this island measured about ten miles in length by six across at its widest and seemed to float like a huge green leaf on the lake the holy water of these Indians of which the circumference is so great that even from the summit of the pyramid a few small and rocky islets accepted land was only visible to the north once we had sailed on the previous night elsewhere the eye met nothing but blue expanses of inland sea limitless and desolate by any sail or sign of life amidst these waters the island gleamed like an emerald here were gardens filled with gorgeous flowers and clumps of beautiful poems and willows framed by banks of dense green reeds that grew in the shallows around the shores so luxuriant was the vegetation fertilized year by year with the rich mud of the lake and so lovely were the trees and flowers in the soft light of the morning that the place seemed like a paradise rather than a home of men and as was the island so was the city that was built there on following the lines of the land upon which it stood it was heart shaped a heart of cold white marble lying within the glowing green all about it ran a moat filled with water from the lake on the hither side of this moat stood a wall 50 feet or more in height built of great blocks of white limestone that formed the bedrock of the island which wall was everywhere sculptured with allegorical devices and designs and the gigantic figures of gods in the oblong of this wall lay the city a city of palaces, pyramids and temples or rather the remains of it for we could see at a glance that the population was unable to keep so many streets and edifices in repair thus palm trees were to be found growing through the flat roofs of houses and in crevices of the temple pyramids while many of the streets were green with grass and ferns a narrow pathway in the center of them showing how few were the feet of the passersby even in the great square beneath us the signs of traffic were rare and there was little of the bustle of a people engaged in the business of life although this very place had been the scene of last night's feast and would again soon be filled with men and women flocking to the pyramid now and again some graceful languid girl a reed basket in her hand might be seen visiting the booths where rations of fish from the lake or of meat, fruit, dried venison and cocoa were distributed according to the wants of each family or perhaps a party of men on their way to labor in the gardens stopped to smoke and talk together in a fashion that showed time to be of little value to them here and there also a few a very few children played together with flowers for toys in the shadow of the palaces barracks and stone houses which bordered the central square but this was all for the rest the place seemed empty and asleep end of chapter 15