The Boy Fortune Hunters in Yucatan by L. Frank Baum

As compared with the palaces of civilized nations I cannot say much in favor of Chaka's royal dwelling. When I consider that it existed in the heart of an isolated, practically unknown wilderness, I admit it was something to win approval. It must have been centuries old, for the mark of ages was upon it everywhere, as it was upon most of the buildings of Itza. Built of square blocks of a coarse and unpolished but durable marble, set with cement, there had been little attempt at architectural display on the part of the builders. The palace covered nearly an acre, having several wings which had been added at different periods. The interior was cool but dirty; the walls and floors had never been scrubbed, I imagine. The ceilings of the main floor were so low that I could reach up and touch them; those on the second floor, to which we ascended by means of a narrow, steep stair without a rail, were more lofty.

The place was full of servants, officials and hangers-on; but Chaka managed to recognize the chief steward, or whatever he was called, and after a brief interview with that factotum had us ushered into a big bare room on the second floor, in one of the wings.

We took our precious chests with us, of course, and prepared to camp. That's the right word to use, for the only furniture in the room was a row of stone benches around the wall. Aside from the doorway were two outside openings intended for windows, over which a network of vines grew, keeping out the sun but admitting light and air and permitting us to get a limited view of the street. Over the doorway hung a sort of portiere of wool and feather-work, gorgeously colored. The chamber was a primitive abode, indeed, yet we approved it because our position could be defended and we knew not what to expect from the bigoted, unresponsive Itzaex.

Relying on Chaka's ability to protect time, at least, we now divested ourselves of our bulky equipment. That was a distinct relief, for it was the first time since leaving the ship that we had lain it aside. We replaced it with thin white duck trousers and jackets which we had brought along for such an occasion in one of the chests. Ned Britton proposed strolling out and seeing the town, but Allerton thought it wiser to remain where we were until we had word from Chaka.

About noon a troop of Indian girls entered, bearing food in various pots and earthen dishes which they set upon the floor before us. I have remarked upon the beauty of the male Itzaex, but I must confess their women are not up to the standard. Nearly all are short and dumpish in form, with dull eyes and apathetic countenances. I never saw a pretty Itzaex girl while I was there.

The food was plentiful and of good quality, but poorly seasoned and carelessly cooked. The meats were mutton or wild game, supplemented by various vegetables such as rice, barley and a root resembling turnip. The bread was heavy and tough; but we managed to eat it, nevertheless, and I am sure we ought to have been satisfied for the feast was as good as the natives were able to provide.

After dinner we waited in vain for Chaka to come to us. As the hours rolled by Allerton began to be uneasy and disturbed. Not until the sun had sunk low upon the horizon and we had come to heartily detest the blank walls of our room did our friend, the atkayma, finally appear. He seemed grave and thoughtful as he entered, and after a word of greeting he squatted on the floor before us.

"They have kept me busy," he said in English. "I could not come before. There have been councils and discussions all day. Just now I have come from the great temple, where the priests have been telling me my duty."

"Poor Brother! " said Paul. "It is not easy to be a king."

Chaka shrugged his shoulders.

"Not that, Brother Paul," said he. "But it is not easy to run against the traditions of an ancient people, to defy a powerful priesthood and stand alone against a nation."

"Have you done that, Chaka?"

"I had to do it. Otherwise you would all now be dead."

"Do they object to us so strongly? " I asked.

"White men," said the atkayma, "centuries ago deceived my people, who destroyed them. Never since have they permitted a white man to penetrate into their country. Their one great hatred-greater than that for the Mopanes-is this hatred of the whites. When I, as the head of the nation, brought you here, the people submitted reluctantly; but now they demand your death-that you be sacrificed upon the funeral pyre of my murdered father. It is the custom to sacrifice to the gods on such an occasion."

"I suppose your precious uncle is at the bottom of this," remarked Archie.

"He has induced the priests to demand you as sacrifices. I have just come from the great temple, which is on an island in the lake. The priests will not listen to my protests. They are determined to destroy the hated white men and the blacks who are with them. According to our law no strangers may exist in our land or leave it alive."

"We'll show them a trick or two," remarked Ned Britton, smiling.

Chaka hesitated; then he added:

"The priests and the council have hinted that unless you are all delivered up to them at daybreak to-morrow morning, when my father's body is to be cremated with much ceremony, they will assassinate me, their atkayma, and place my uncle at the head of the nation."