A FIELD FOR FUTURE ENTERPRISE. 197 



the dense cloud resting upon it, had been unable to see 

 anything. At all events, the belief at the village of 

 Chajul is general, and a curiosity is roused that burns 

 to be satisfied. We had a craving desire to reach the 

 mysterious city. No man, even if willing to peril his 

 life, could undertake the enterprise with any hope of 

 success, without hovering for one or two years on the 

 borders of the country, studying the language and char- 

 acter of the adjoining Indians, and making acquaintance 

 with some of the natives. Five hundred men could 

 probably march directly to the city, and the invasion 

 would be more justifiable than any ever made by the 

 Spaniards ; but the government is too much occupied 

 with its own wars, and the knowledge could not be 

 procured except at the price of blood. Two young 

 men of good constitution, and who could afford to 

 spare five years, might succeed. If the object of search 

 prove a phantom, in the wild scenes of a new and un* 

 explored country there are other objects of interest; 

 but if real, besides the glorious excitement of such a 

 novelty, they will have something to look back upon 

 through life. As to the dangers, these are always mag- 

 nified, and, in general, peril is discovered soon enough 

 for escape. But in all probability, if any discovery is 

 ever made it will be by the padres. As for ourselves, 

 to attempt it alone, ignorant of the language, and with 

 mozos who were a constant annoyance to us, was out 

 of the question. The most we thought of was a climb 

 to the top of the sierra, thence to look down upon the 

 mysterious city ; but we had difficulties enough in the 

 road before us ; it would add ten days to a journey al- 

 ready almost appalling in prospective ; for days the si- 

 erra might be covered with clouds ; in attempting too 

 much we might lose all ; Palenque was our great point, 



