LAKE OF ATITAN. 



161 



CHAPTER X. 



Lake of Atitan. — Conjectures as to its Origin, &c. — A Sail on the Lake. — A dan- 

 gerous Situation. — A lofty Mountain Range. — Ascent of the Mountains.— Com- 

 manding View.— Beautiful Plain. — An elevated Village.— Ride along the Lake. 

 — Solola.— Visit to Santa Cruz del Quiche.— Scenery on the Road.— Barrancas, 

 — San Thomas.— Whipping-posts.— Plain of Quiche.— The Village.— Ruins of 

 Quiche.— Its History. — Desolate Scene. — A facetious Cura. — Description of 

 the Ruins.— Plan.— The Royal Palace.— The Place of Sacrifice.— An Image. 

 — Two Heads, &c. — Destruction of the Palace recent. — An Arch. 



Early in the morning we again went down to the 

 lake. Not a vapour was on the water, and the top of 

 every volcano was clear of clouds. We looked over to 

 Santiago Atitan, but there was no indication of a canoe 

 coming for us. We whiled away the time in shooting 

 wild ducks, but could get only two ashore, which we 

 afterward found of excellent flavour. According to 

 the account given by Huarros, the water of this lake is 

 so cold that in a few minutes it benumbs and swells the 

 limbs of all who bathe in it. But it looked so inviting 

 that we determined to risk it, and were not benumbed, 

 nor were our limbs swollen. The inhabitants, we were 

 told, bathed in it constantly ; and Mr. C. remained a 

 long time in the water, supported by his life preserver, 

 and without taking any exercise, and was not conscious 

 of extreme coldness. In the utter ignorance that ex- 

 ists in regard to the geography and geology of that 

 country, it may be that the account of its fathomless 

 depth, and the absence of any visible outlet, is as un- 

 founded as that of the coldness of its waters. 



The Modern Traveller, in referring to the want of 

 specific information with regard to its elevation, and 

 other circumstances from which to frame a conjecture 

 as to its origin, and the probable communication of its 



Vol. II.— X 



