230 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



stone, apparently hurled down from the top; perhaps 

 the altar on which human victims were extended for 

 sacrifice. 



The owner of the ground, a Mestitzo, whose house 

 was near by, and who accompanied us to the ruins, told 

 us that he had bought the land from Indians, and that, 

 for some time after his purchase, he was annoyed by 

 their periodical visits to celebrate some of their ancient 

 rites on the top of this structure. This annoyance con- 

 tinued until he whipped two or three of the principal 

 men and drove them away. 



At the foot of the structure was a vault, faced with 

 cut stone, in which were found a collection of bones 

 and a terra cotta vase, then in his possession. The 

 vault was not long enough for the body of a man ex- 

 tended, and the bones must have been separated before 

 they were placed there. 



The owner believed that these structures contained 

 interior apartments with hidden treasures; and there 

 were several mounds, supposed to be sepulchres of the 

 ancient inhabitants, which also, he had no doubt, con- 

 tained treasure. The situation of the place was mag- 

 nificent. "We had never before enjoyed so good an op- 

 portunity of working, and agreed with him to come the 

 next day and make excavations, promising to give him 

 all the treasure, and taking for my share only the sculls? 

 vases, and other curiosities. 



The next morning, before we were up, the door was 

 thrown open, and to our surprise we received a saluta- 

 tion in English. The costume of the stranger was of 

 the country; his beard was long, and he looked as if 

 already he had made a hard morning's ride. To my 

 great surprise and pleasure I recognised Pawling, 

 whom the reader will perhaps remember I had seen as 



