60 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



perplexed between the standing orders of the rancho 

 and the special instructions to do what I required. 



The ramon tree was growing out of the mouth 

 of a cave, which the Indians said was an ancient 

 well. I should perhaps not have observed it, but 

 for the discussion about cutting down the tree. I 

 had no great disposition for another subterraneous 

 scramble, but descended the cavity or opening for 

 the purpose of taking a bird's-eje view of the mouth. 

 On one side was a great ledge of stone projecting 

 as a roof, and under this was a passage in the rock, 

 choked up by masses of fallen stone. It was im- 

 possible to continue if I had been so disposed, but 

 there was every reason to believe that formerly there 

 had been some wild passage through the rocks as at 

 Xcoch and Chack, which led to a subterraneous de- 

 posite of water, and that this had been one of the 

 sources from which the ancient inhabitants procu- 

 red their supply. 



From the number of Indians at our command, 

 and their alacrity in working, we had been enabled 

 to accomplish much in a very short time. In three 

 days they finished all that I required of them. 

 When I dismissed them, I gave a half dollar extra 

 to be divided among seventeen, and as I was going 

 away Bernabe exclaimed, " Ave Maria, que gracias 

 dan a vd." " Ave Maria, what thanks they give you." 



The evening closed with a general gathering of 

 the Indians under the arbour in front of the casa 

 real. Before setting out in the morning the alcalde 



