134 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



on every side, and, for that country, the scene was 

 picturesque, but all vs^aste and silent. The stillness 

 of the grave rested upon the ruins, and the notes of 

 a little flycatcher w^ere the only sounds we heard. 



The ruins in sight were much more extensive 

 than those we had first visited, but in a more ruin- 

 ous condition. We descended the mound to the 

 area in front, and, bearing down the bushes, passed 

 in the centre an uncouth, upright, circular stone, like 

 that frequently referred to before, called the picote, 

 or whipping-post, and farther on we reached an ed- 

 ifice, which Mr. Catherwood afterward drew, and 

 which is represented in the engraving opposite. It 

 is thirty-three feet in front, and has two apartments, 

 each thirteen feet long by eight feet six inches deep, 

 and conspicuous in the facade are representations of 

 three uncouth human figures, in curious dresses, with 

 their hands held up by the side of the head, support- 

 ing the cornice. 



These ruins, Dimas told us, were called School- 

 hoke, but, like the others, they stand on what is call- 

 ed the savanna of Chunhuhu ; and the ruined build- 

 ing on the top of the hill, visible from both places, 

 seems towering as a link to connect them together. 

 What the extent of this place has been it is impos- 

 sible to say. Returning, overtaken by night, and in 

 apprehension of rain, we were an hour and a half, 

 which would make the two, by the path we took, 

 at least five miles apart, though much nearer in a 

 straight line. Supposing the two piles of ruins to 



