224 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



Rancho of Jalal. — Picturesque Aguada. — Excavations made in it 

 by the Indians. — System of Aguadas. — Journey resumed. — 

 Lose the Road. — An Effort in the Maya Language. — Grove of 

 Orange Trees. — Ruins of Yakatzib. — Dilapidated Edifice. — Sto- 

 ny Sierra. — Village of Becanchen. — Hospitality. — Sculptured 

 Stones. — Wells. — Running Stream of Water. — Derivation of 

 the Word Becanchen. — Rapid Growth of the Village. — Source 

 of the Water of the Wells. — Accident to an Indian. — The Par- 

 ty separate. — Aguadas. — A Trogan. — Hacienda of Zaccacal. — 

 Visit to the Ruins. — Stone Terrace. — Circular Hole. — Two 

 Buildings. — Garrapatas. — Black Ants. — Return. 



At seven o'clock the next morning we started, 

 and at the distance of a league reached the rancho 

 of Jalal, from which we tm'ned off to the aguada 

 to water our horses. The plate opposite represents 

 this aguada. When we first came down upon its 

 banks it presented one of the most beautifully pic- 

 turesque scenes we met with in the country. It 

 was completely enclosed by a forest, and had large 

 trees growing around the banks and overhanging the 

 water. The surface was covered with water weeds 

 like a carpet of vivid green, and the aguada had a 

 much higher interest than any derived from mere 

 beauty. According to the accounts we had received 

 at the rancho, ten years before it was dry, and the 



