THE DISCOMFITURE OF CABRAKAN
great mountain and see if you can lift it as you boast."
But already Cabrakan began to feel strange pangs. "What is this?" said he, passing his hand across his brow. "I do not seem to see the mountain you mean."
"Nonsense," said Hun-Apu. "Yonder it is, see, to the east there."
"My eyes seem dim this morning," replied the giant.
"No, it is not that," said Hun-Apu. "You have boasted that you could lift this mountain, and now you are afraid to try."
"I tell you," said Cabrakan," that I have difficulty in seeing. Will you lead me to the mountain?"
"Certainly," said Hun-Apu, giving him his hand, and with several strides they were at the foot of the eminence.
"Now," said Hun-Apu, "see what you can do, boaster."
Cabrakan gazed stupidly at the great mass in front of him. His knees shook together so that the sound was like the beating of a war-drum, and the sweat poured from his forehead and ran in a little stream down the side of the mountain.
"Come," cried Hun-Apu derisively, "are you going to lift the mountain or not?"
"He cannot," sneered Xbalanque. "I knew he could not."
Cabrakan shook himself into a final effort to regain his senses, but all to no purpose. The poison rushed through his blood, and with a groan he fell dead before the brothers.
Thus perished the last of the earth-giants of Guatemala, whom Hun-Apu and Xbalanque had been sent to destroy.
219
