ITS INHABIT ANl^S, WHO? 253 



facing the valley was a precipitous wall of vertical rock, several huodred 

 feet to its base, rendering a descent impossible. 



After trying at otlier places, with like ill-success, they were at length 

 compelled to relinquish the design of further investigation for the time 

 being. 



Subsequently, on visiting Ariapie, a town of Sonora, several foreigners 

 were induced to join them in a return expedition, and a company of some 

 twenty or twenty-five repaired to the place for the purpose of prosecuting 

 a research so interesthig. 



On arriving at the raoiiatain from whence the object of their curiosity 

 had been first seen, there lay before them the valley and city with its domes 

 and palaces, amid which a swarming population was distinctly observed, 

 apparently engaged in the prosecution of their various avocations. There 

 could be no doubt of its reality, but how to reach it was the next question. 



A number of days were occupied in vain search for a pass into tlie val- 

 ley. The creek upon which it lay was found to emerge from the vast 

 enclos'ore, tlirough the mountain, by a frightful chasm formed of vertical 

 rocks upon each side, for hundieds and even thousands of feet in altitude. 

 The current was rapid, and Interrupted by frequent falls that precluded the 

 possibility of a passage up its bed. They crossed it, and, finding a con- 

 venient slope, again ascended the mountain. 



On reaching the summit, a counterscarp was observed, where, by dint 

 of great exertion, a descent could be eftected ; but not with horses. 



Arrangements were made accordingly, and one half of the party remained 

 with tlie animals and baggage, while the others, continuing the exploration, 

 finally succeeded in entering the valley. 



Meanwhile, the movements of the advancing parly were viewed with 

 great anxiety by those in reserve. In the course of the succeeding day 

 they were seen to enter the city and mingle among its inhabitants ; but, 

 after tUat, they were never again seen or heard of. 



Three weeks elapsed and no sign of them appeared. At length their 

 companions were forced by hunger to leave the spot and abandon them to 

 their fate. 



Another attempt to explore this mysterious locality is reported to have 

 been made by a company of Spaniards, some of whom penetrated the val- 

 ley, but never returned. 



Tiie site oithis city, if the story of iti existence be true, is undoubtedly 

 the bed of an ancient lake, whose waters have become gradually drained 

 by a forced passage tlu-ough the mountam, thus forming the chasm and 

 croek above noticed. 



The peopla inhabiting it are probably from the stock of original Mexicans,* 

 who sought this as a secure retreat from tlie terror of Spanish oppression 



* Bar jn Humboldt and some other travellers speak of quite extensive ruins in the 

 vicinity of the (lila, wliich are attributed to a different race of people from those 

 now inhabiting that country, or even the ancient Mexicans. Some of them are rep 

 resented as bein'/ iu a tolerable state of preser\ation, particularly one, wliich is knowa 

 B8 the " cassa grand." No reasonable conjecture as to their origin has yet been ad- 

 duced. If they are not the ruined fabrics of ancient Mexican grandeur, to whom 

 are we to look for their parentaj^e ! 



The di-versity of charactor bervreen th«ra and thoaaof Uxiaal, PAlanquei »nd otbar 



22 



