Chapter XVII

Plan of the Ruins.--An Edifice called Akatzeeb.--Doorways.--Apartments.--Circular Mass of Masonry.--Mysterious Chamber.--Sculptured Stone Tablet.---Majestic Pile of Building called the Monjas.--Hieroglyphics.--Rich Ornaments.--Doorways, Chambers, &c.--Remains of Painting.--The Eglesia, or Church.--Ornaments on the Facade.--Cartouches in Plaster.--Circular Edifice called the Caracol.--Apartment.--Staircase, having on each Side entwined Serpents.--Gigantic Head.--Doorways.--Paintings.--Building called Chichanchob.--Ornaments.--Row of Hieroglyphics.--Another Building.--Vestiges of Mounds and ruined Buildings.--Extraordinary Edifice, to which the Name Gymnasium or Tennis-court is given.--Ornamented Columns.--Sculptured Figures in Bas-relief.--Massive Stone Rings, with entwined Serpents.--Indian Sports.--Two Ranges of Buildings.--Procession of Tigers.--Sculptured Columns.--Figures in Bas-relief.--Richly-carved lintel.--Paintings. The Castillo.--Staircase.--Colossal Serpents' Heads.--Doorways.--Carved Lintels.--Jambs ornamented with Sculptured Figures.--Corridors.--Apartments.--Square Pillars, covered with Sculptured Figures.--Rows of Columns.--Occupation and Abandonment of Chichen by the Spaniards.--First Discovery of Chichen.--Senotes.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Departure from Chichen.--Village of Cawa.--Cuncunul.--Arrival at Valladolid.--An Accident.--Appearance of the City.--Don Pedro Baranda's Cotton Factory.--A Countryman.--Mexican Revolution.--The Indians as Soldiers.--Adventures of a Demonio.--Character of the People.--Gamecocks.--Difficulty of obtaining Information in regard to the Route.--Departure for the Coast.--Party of Indians.--Village of Chemax.--Fate of Molas the Pirate.--Discouraging Accounts.--Plans deranged.--The Convent.--The Cura.--Population of the Village.--Its early History.--Ruins of Coba.--Indian Sepulchre.--Relics.--A Penknife found in the Sepulchre.

CHAPTER XIX.

Departure.--Journey to Yalahao.--Stony Road.--Arrival at the Port.--The Sea.--Appearance of the Village.--Bridge.--Springs.--Pirates.--Scarcity of Ramon.--The Castillo.--Its Garrison.--Don Vicente Albino.--An Incident.--Arrangements for a Voyage down the Coast.--Embarcation.--The Canoa El Sol.--Objects of the Voyage.--Point Moscheto.--Point Frances.--An Indian Fisherman.--Cape Catoche.--The first Landing-place of the Spaniards.--Island of Contoy.--Sea-birds.--Island of Mugeres.--Lafitte.--Harpooning a Turtle.--Different Kinds of Turtle.--Island of Kancune.--Point of Nesuc.--Sharks.--Moschetoes.--Bay of San Miguel.--Island of Cozumel.--Rancho established by the Pirate Molas.--Don Vicente Albino.--Mr. George Fisher.--Piratical Aspect of the Island.--A Well.--Plantation of Cotton.--Stroll along the Shore.

CHAPTER XX.

A crippled Dog.--Island of Cozumel known to the Natives by the Name of Cuzamil.--Discovered by Juan De Grijalva.--Extracts from the Itinerary of his Voyage.--Towers seen by the Spaniards.--An ancient Indian Village.--Temples.--Idols prostrated by the Spaniards.--Present State of the Island.--Overgrown with Trees.--Terrace and Building.--Another Building.--These Buildings probably the Towers seen by the Spaniards.--Identical with those on the Mainland.--Ruins of a Spanish Church.--Its History unknown.--Vanity of Human Expectations.--Opinion of the old Spanish Writers.--Their Belief that the Cross was found among the Indians as a Symbol of Christian Worship.--The "Cozumel Cross" at Merida.--Platform in Front of the Church.--Square Pillars.--Once supported Crosses.--The Cozumel Cross one of them.--The Cross never recognised by the Indians as a Symbol of Worship.--Rare Birds.--A Sudden Storm.--The Canoa in a Strait.--Fearful Apprehensions.

CHAPTER XXI.

Search for the Canoa.--An Iron-bound Coast.--A wild Opening.--A sheltered Cove.--The Canoa found.--The Account of the Patron.--A Man overboard.--Return.--Sea-shells.--Departure from Cozumel.--Coast of Yucatan.--Square Buildings.--First Sight of the Castillo of Tuloom.--Rancho of Tancah.--Molas.--His two Sons.--Visit to the Ruins of Tuloom.--Buildings seen on the Way.--Magnificent Scenery.--The Castillo.--Front View.--Grand Staircase.--Columns.--Corridors.--The Red Hand.--The Wings of the Castillo, consisting of two Ranges.--Devices in Stucco.--Flat Roofs.--Back View of the Castillo.--A Storm.--Sudden Change of Feeling.--Ruined Buildings.--Square Terrace.--Picturesque Sight.--Fragments of Tablets.--Isolated Building.--Curious Figure.--Paintings.--Discovery of the City Wall.--Its good Preservation.--Gateways.--Watchtowers.--Buildings.--Ceilings constructed on a new Principle.--Onslaught of Moschetoes.

CHAPTER XXII.

Discovery of a Building.--Two others.--Description of the first Building.--Ornaments in Stucco.--Columns.--Corridor.--Paintings.-- Central Chamber.--Altar.--Upper Story.--Stone Tablets.--Another Building.--Mutilated Figure.--Apartments.--Altar.--A third Building.--This City seen by the early Spanish Voyagers.--Continued to be occupied after the Conquest.--Adoratorios.--Accounts of ruined Cities in the Interior.--Return Voyage.--Sea-sickness.--Nesuc.-- Kancune.--Ruined Buildings.--Island of Mugeres.--Sea-birds.--Appearance of the Island.--A hideous Funeral Pile.--Ibises.--Lafitte.--Piratical Associations.--Confession of a Pirate.--Visit to the Ruins.--A lonely Edifice.--Grand Scene.--Corridors.--Inscriptions.--Square Building.--Account of Bernal Dias.--Departure from the Island.-- Catoche.--Yalahao.--Ancient Mound.--El Cuyo.--An old Acquaintance in Misfortune.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Port of Silan.--Hospitality.--Breakfast.--Walk along the Shore.-- Flamingoes.--Shooting Excursion to Punta Arenas.--Wild Road.--Take Possession of a Hut.--Great Variety and immense Numbers of Wild Fowl.--Get Stuck in the Mud.--Flamingoes and Spoonbills.--A ludicrous Adventure.--Dissection of Birds.--Return to the Port.--The Quartel.--A Catastrophe.--Departure.--Village of Silan.--Gigantic Mound.--View from its Top.--Another Mound.--Accounts of Herrera and Cogolludo.--The Grave of Lafitte.--Hospitality of the Padres.--Departure from Silan.--Temax.--Church and Convent.--Izamal.--Fiesta of Santa Cruz.--Appearance of the City.--Mounds.--Colossal Ornaments in Stucco.--Gigantic Head.--Stupendous Mound.--Interior Chambers.--Church and Convent.--Built on an ancient Mound.--A Legend.--A Ball.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Departure for Merida.--The Road.--Cacalchen.--Hacienda of Ake.--The Ruins.--Great Mound called the Palace.--Immense Staircase.--Grand Approach.--Columns.--No Remains of a Building on the Mound.--Other Mounds.--Interior Chamber.--A Senote.--Rude and Massive Character of these Ruins.--End of Journey among ruined Cities.--Number of Cities discovered.--Of the Builders of the American Cities.--Opinion.--Built by the Ancestors of the present Race of Indians.--Reply to Arguments urged against this Belief.--Absence of Tradition.--Unparalleled Circumstances which attended the Conquest.--Unscrupulous Policy of the Spaniards.--Want of Tradition not confined to Events before the Conquest.--Nor peculiar to American Ruins.--Degeneracy of the Indians.--Insufficiency of these Arguments.--Farewell to Ruins.