Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 189, No. 4 — page 99: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SUN TEST. jewels were found in clefts of the stone, packed about by the earth. The procedure was to bring out earth by the handful to the mouth of the mine and there to examine it bit by bit under the inspection of the members of the council. If a jewel was found, it was passed over to the old men at once. The winnowed earth was thrown into a refuse pile at the side. Xlaco had explained to Tench that it was unlawful for any Mayan to have in his possession one of the jewels, except as it was given to him for use as an insignia by the council. It would be extremely difficult for any of them to conceal a jewel, as none of them wore much clothing. Moreover, it was difficult to imagine what could be the object in retaining a jewel, when it would have no value for trade, and could not be worn in personal adornment without the approval of the council. Tench was busily engaged with his stick in prying loose pieces of soft rock, when he noticed that Huasco, who was not far away, was concealing something in the scant fold of the fiber stretched round his waist. He stopped to observe more care- fully, for the light was very dim and Huasco looked up to detect him watching. An angry exclamation escaped the Aztec. Tench returned to his work. The rock was stubborn. He tugged and wrenched it out. Then suddenly it seemed the earth was rent asunder. Before he could realize what had happened he was pinned to the earth by a cave-in. The tree trunk which shored in the roof of the mine above him had given way and had fallen across his shoulders, followed by half a ton of dirt. He did not know that the crafty Huasco had loosened the sup- ports while his back was turned. Cries for help resounded through the mine. The Mayans came running. It was seen that Tench’s head was free, and he was living, and could breathe. Meanwhile the strongest of them bent sturdily to the task of propping up the timber which pinned him down. Ingenuously, with wedges of sharp stone which they drove in one above the other, they jacked up the timber until it rose free 569 above him the space of several inches. Then they began digging away the earth behind. After half an hour, they managed to pull him out. He was carried to the mouth of the mine, and laid on his back on the green sward. Xlaco ran to a spring at the base of the hill, and came back with a gourd of water. The old men of the council stood about solicitously. There was relief in their eyes when they saw that Tench was able to raise his hands and help himself to the water, although his body was bruised with rock, and his face covered with dirt. Za pushed her way through the ring of old men and came swiftly to his side, on her knees, She placed an arm under his head, and began bathing his face with water from the gourd. For the moment at least, she was no longer aloof. Under this delightful ministration Tench subsided, closed his eyes and breathed hap- pily, sighing with content. Softly she stroked his face, and felt swiftly of his chest to see that it was whole and sound, bend- ing her ear close to his chest to listen to his breathing and feeling his pulse. Meanwhile she murmured: ‘“ Xtla! Xtla! Do not die; the Sun has need of you. You must live. Open your eyes. Look at me. Say that you are not dead.” With a dreamy, happy smile, he half opened his eyes, and spoke softly so that only she could hear: “ Za, my love,” he murmured. ‘‘ You have answered me. I will live, but only for you.” She rose precipitately, dropping his head to the green sward without consistent care. “He is not badly hurt,” she said to the seven old chiefs. “The Sun has spared him.” When Tench sat up a moment later and looked for her, she was gone. She had withdrawn to a distant hillock, apparently to regain her composure. The Mayans found thirty-one jewels that day for the old men to treasure. As night fell and they trudged back along the trail to the village, Huasco fell in step with Tench. “It is not well for one to have a secret with the daughter of the Sun,” he said. .“ For each Mayan who has at- tempted that there has always been the Gomichbooks (e (E@)