PAINTINGS. 



93 



and two were standing on their hands with their 

 heels in the air. These figures were about a foot 

 high, and painted red. The drawing w^as good, the 

 attitudes were spirited and Hfe-Hke, and altogether, 

 even in their mutilated state, they were by far the 

 most interesting paintings we had seen in the country. 



Another apartment had been plastered and cov- 

 ered with paintings, the colours of which were in 

 some places still bright and vivid. In this apart- 

 ment we cornered and killed a snake five feet long, 

 and as I threw it out at the door a strong picture 

 rose up before me of the terrific scenes which must 

 have been enacted in this region ; the cries of wo 

 that must have ascended to Heaven w^hen these 

 sculptured and painted edifices were abandoned, to 

 become the dwelling-place of vultures and serpents. 



There was one other building, and these two, my 

 guide said, were all, but probably others lie buried in 

 the woods. Returning to our horses, he led me to 

 another extraordinary subterraneous well, which 

 probably furnished water to the ancient inhabitants. 

 I looked into the mouth, and saw that the first de- 

 scent was by a steep ladder, but had no disposition 

 to explore it. 



In a few minutes we mounted to return to the 

 village. Ruins were increasing upon us, to explore 

 which thoroughly would be the work of years ; 

 we had but months, and were again arrested by 

 illness. For some days, at least, Mr. Catherwood 

 would not be able to resume work. I was really 



