36
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
everything under complete control. Both Huehue and Yum Kaax
were with your friends at their camp last night. You will be
pleased to know that all three of them are in good shape, and are
unharmed,” Mahucutah told him.
Tital ate quietly the large breakfast that Mahucutah had
prepared for him, but when they rode out of camp an hour later,
he had to ask, “The man kidnapped the three Negreté children,
and has taken them into the desert many kilometers from their
very upset parents, yet you tell me that they are safe?”
“I did not say that they were safe. I said they were
unharmed,” Mahucutah answered.
“They are not the same thing?” Tital asked.
“No they are not. Zotz tries to keep them unharmed, but
there are those who would like to cause them great harm. You
will learn more tonight when we meet with your friends,”
Mahucutah said.
At that moment the horses started to act up, and Brilloso
started a high-pitched whining. “What is going on?” Tital asked.
“It will be better to get off our horses and walk for a while,”
Mahucutah said.
“But—” Tital started to say.
“Just do it. And do it now, Tital!” Mahucutah said firmly, as
he dismounted his horse.
Tital reluctantly did as he was asked. He led his skittish horse
for about ten minutes, when the ground he was walking on
began shaking. The ground shook so badly for more than a
minute that he almost fell down twice. Only by holding onto the
bridle of Centella could he keep upright.
“An earthquake, and a large one! We must be close to the
center!” Tital was the first to say.