DETENTION. 203 



those now seen in ruins in the wilderness of Yuca- 

 tan. 



The reader will perhaps think that I have gone 

 quite far enough, and that it is time to come back. 



The next on our list were the ruins of Maco- 

 ba, lying on the rancho of our friend the cura of 

 Xul, and then in the actual occupation o^ndians. 

 We learned that the most direct road to this place 

 was an Indian path, but the best way to reach it 

 was to retrace our steps as far the rancho of Senor 

 Trego ; at least, this was so near being the best 

 that the opportunity of passing the night with him 

 determined us to set out immediately by that route. 

 We had our Indian carriers in attendance at the 

 village ; but, unluckily, while preparing tQ set out, 

 Mr. Catherwood was taken with fever, and we were 

 obliged to postpone our departure. 



We had another subject of anxiety, but more 

 moderate, in the conduct of Don Juan. He had 

 not been near us all day, and we could not account 

 for his neglect ; but toward evening Albino learned 

 that the night before he had lost sixteen dollars at 

 the gaming-table, and had kept his hammock ever 

 since. 



The next day it rained. On Sunday the rain 

 still continued. Early in the morning the ministi'o 

 came over from the village of Hopochen to say 

 mass, and, while lounging about to note the prospect 

 in regard to the weather, I stopped under the shed 

 where the gaming-table remained ready for use, to 



