Jury, 1898. Ruins or XKICHMOOK, YuCATAN—THOMPSON, 229 
A PRIMITIVE NATIVE. 
Shortly after we commenced our investigations in this ruin group, 
we discovered evidences of recent human occupation in the jungle 
close by; so modern indeed that the embers of a fire were still fresh; 
and when our hunters returned with their game one day they brought 
with them a swd/evado Maya Indian, one of those beings so dreaded in 
civilized Yucatan that the mothers themselves shudder as they hush 
their children’s cries by the aid of the dread name. 
He was a strongly-built, good-looking fellow, apparently about 
fifty years of age. At first he was silent and sullen, but as soon as he 
saw that we meant him no harm and did not even intend to treat him 
as a captive, he unbent and became quite communicative. He said 
he had been living in the jungles for years. By the aid of his m/pah 
(cornfield) he obtained food, and by barter with other Indians secured 
powder and ball for his flint-lock. He remained near us during our 
entire stay, and brought us game andcorn. The day we left I tried to 
induce him to come with us, and promised him safety if he desired 
reconciliation with the government of Yucatan, but in vain; he had 
raised his arm against the whites and trusted no promise on their 
part. And so we left him in his forest home. 
