L A G U N A. 



391 



CHAPTER XXIIL 



Laguna. — Journey to Merida. — Sisal. — A new Mode of Conveyance. — Village of 

 Hunucama. — Arrival at Merida. — Aspect of the City.— F^te of Corpus Dom- 

 ini. — The Cathedral. — The Procession.— Beauty and Simplicity of the Indian 

 Women.— Palace of the Bishop.— The Theatre.— Journey to Uxmal.— Ha- 

 cienda of Vayalquex. — Value of Water.— Condition of the Indians in Yuca* 

 tan.— A peculiar kind of Coach.— Hacienda of Mucuyche.— A beautiful Grotto. 



The town of Laguna stands on the island of Carmen, 

 which is about seven leagues long, and which, with an- 

 other island about four leagues in length, separates the 

 Lake of Terminos from the Gulf of Mexico. It is the 

 depot of the great logwood country in the interior, and 

 a dozen vessels were then in port awaiting cargoes for 

 Europe and the United States. The town is well 

 built and thriving ; its trade has been trammelled by 

 the oppressive regulations of the Central government, 

 but it had made its pronunciamento, disarmed and driv- 

 en out the garrison, and considered itself independent, 

 subject only to the state government of Yucatan. The 

 anchorage is shoal but safe, and easy of access for ves- 

 sels not drawing over twelve or thirteen feet of water. 



We could have passed some time with satisfaction in 

 resting and strolling over the island, but our journey 

 was not yet ended. Our next move was for Merida, 

 the capital of Yucatan. The nearest port was Cam- 

 peachy, a hundred and twenty miles distant, and the 

 voyage was usually made by bungo, coasting along the 

 shore of the open sea. "With our experience of bun- 

 goes this was most disheartening. Nevertheless, this 

 would have been our unhappy lot but for the kindness 

 of Mr. Russell and Captain Fensley. The latter was 

 bound directly to New- York, and his course lay along 



