The Aztec-Hunters

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III THE MAGIC BALL GAME OF THE HEBOES There is not much difference in the fundamentals of boy character, all over the world. A gallant action, a story of bravery, a tale of manhood, will grip every boy's heart. Qin, the Lacandone Indian, was no exception. He listened to the padre's recital of the...
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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III THE MAGIC BALL GAME OF THE HEBOES There is not much difference in the fundamentals of boy character, all over the world. A gallant action, a story of bravery, a tale of manhood, will grip every boy's heart. Qin, the Lacandone Indian, was no exception. He listened to the padre's recital of the heroism of Fray Botel and decided that here was a man who understood, a man who could be trusted. The lad untwisted the fold of his loin-cloth and brought out the small black ball. I didn't tell you, he said. I found this on the top of the pyramid.'' The padre stared at the ball. Astonishment was written on every line of his face. He took the sphere and examined it with intense interest. It bounces, said Qin. Yes, the padre answered, so it should. He laid the ball on a little table and paced up and down the room. Curious, l1e said meditatively, very curious He turned to the lad. Just how did you find it? he asked. Qin explained, touching lightly on the question of his vision, but emphasizing the fact that the ball had not been on the stone the night before, when he had laid the fish there. It's a tlachtli ball, the old priest said. What's that? queried the lad. The padre did not hear the question. He was deep in thought. Didn't you say something to me about possessing a Tortoise Charm? he asked. Qin put his hand to his neck and pulled out the little jadeite figure, suspended on a string of fiber. It is this, '' he said. '' Old Itpan gave it to me, a long time ago. The padre stooped down and examined the ancient carving. Yes, it's a tortoise, he said, and again he repeated, curious, very curious. Indian boys, as a rule, ask few questions, but there was alert inquiry in the very poise of Qin's ...