ITS INHABITANTS, WHO ? 253 



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

 feet to its base, rendering a descent impossible. 



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

 compelled to reUnquish the design of further investigation for the time 

 being. 



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

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

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

 a research so interesting. 



On arriving at the mountain 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 obsorved, 

 apparently engaged in the prosecution of their various avocations. There 

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



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

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

 enclosure, through the mountain, by a frightful chasm formed of vertical 

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

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

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

 venient slope, again ascended the mountain. 



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

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



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

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

 finally succeeded in entering the valley. 



Meanwhile, the movements of the advancing party were viewed with 

 great aiLxiety 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 that, 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. 



The site of this city, if the story of its existence be true, is undoubtedly 

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

 by a forced passage through the mountain, thus forming the chasm and 

 creek above noticed. 



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

 w^io sought this as a secure retreat from the terror of Spanish oppressioii 



* Baron Humboldt and pome other travellers speak of quite extensive ruins in tlie 

 vidnity of the (rila, which are attrih;ired to a difTcrenL rare of people from those 

 now inliabilin^ that country, or even tlie ancient Mexicans. Some of them are rep- 

 resented as being in a t;)lerable state of preservation, particularly one, which is knowe 

 a.s tlie " cassa grand." No reasonable conjecture as to their oriirin 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 diversicy of character bf.'.woen them and those of Uxmal, Palonque, and other 



