FLAT ROOFS. 



399 



pal beams of wood, about six inches in diameter, 

 laid on the top of the wall from end to end of the 

 chamber, with smaller beams, about three inches in 

 diameter, laid across the larger so closely as to touch; 

 and on these crossbeams is a thick mass of mortar 

 and large pebbles, which was laid on moist, and 

 now forms a solid crust, being the same materials 

 which we had seen in ruins on the floors of other 

 rooms. Against the back wall was an altar, with a 

 rude triangular stone upon it, which seemed to bear 

 marks of not very distant use. On each side of 

 the doorway were large sea-shells fixed in the wall 

 for the support of the doors. 



These were all the buildings to which young Mo- 

 las conducted us, and he said there were no others 

 within the area of the walls, but there were many ves- 

 tiges without ; and it was our belief that the walls en- 

 closed only the principal, perhaps the sacred buildings, 

 and that ruins existed to a great distance beyond ; but, 

 with only young Molas and one boatman, being all 

 that the patron could spare at a time, we did not 

 consider it worth while to attempt any exploration ; 

 in fact, our occupation of this walled city was too 

 much disturbed to allow us to think of remaining 

 long. A legion of fierce usurpers, already in posses- 

 sion, were determined to drive us out, and after hard 

 work by day, we had no rest at night ; 



" There was never yet philosopher 

 That could endure the toothache patiently ;" 



and I will venture to say that a philosopher would 



