RUINS OF AKE. 



441 



erty of the Conde Peon, and, contrary to our expec- 

 tations, it was small, neglected, in a ruinous condi- 

 tion, and entirely destitute of all kinds of supplies. 

 We could not procure even eggs, literally nothing 

 but tortillas. The major domo was away, the prin- 

 cipal building locked up, and the only shelter we 

 could obtain was a miserable little hut, full of fleas, 

 which no sweeping could clear out. We had con- 

 sidered all our rough work over, but again, and with- 

 in a day's journey of Merida, we were in bad straits. 

 By great ingenuity, and giving them the shortest pos- 

 sible tie. Albino contrived to swing our hammocks, 

 and having no other resource, early in the evening 

 we fell into them. At about ten o'clock we heard 

 the tramp of a horse, and the major domo arrived. 

 Surprised to find such unexpected visiters, but glad 

 to see them, he unlocked the hacienda, and walking 

 out in our winding sheets, we took possession ; our 

 hammocks followed, and were hung up anew. In 

 the morning he provided us with breakfast, after 

 which, accompanied by him and all the Indians of 

 the hacienda, being only six, we went round to see 

 the ruins. 



The plate opposite represents a great mound tow- 

 ering in full sight from the door of the hacienda, and 

 called El Palacio, or the Palace. The ascent is on 

 the south side, by an immense staircase, one hun- 

 dred and thirty-seven feet wide, forming an approach 

 of rude grandeur, perhaps equal to any that ever ex- 

 isted in the country. Each step is four feet five 



Vol. II.— K k k 



