ESTABLISHING QUARTERS. 



151 



On the left of the field was an overgrown milpa, 

 along the edge of which a path led in front of this 

 building. Following this path, we turned the corner 

 of the terrace, and on the farthest side dismounted, 

 and tied our horses. The grass and weeds were 

 above our heads, and we could see nothing. The 

 mayoral broke a way through them, and we reached 

 the foot of the terrace. Working our way over the 

 stones with much toil, we reached the top of the 

 highest terrace. Here, too, the grass and weeds 

 were of the same rank growth. We moved direct- 

 ly to the wall at the east end, and entered the first 

 open door. Here the mayoral wished us to take 

 up our abode ; but we knew the localities better 

 than he did, and, creeping along the front as close 

 to the wall as possible, cutting some of the bushes, 

 and tearing apart and trampling down others, we 

 reached the centre apartment. Here we stopped. 

 Swarms of bats, roused by our approach, fluttered 

 and flew through the long chamber, and passed out 

 at the doors. 



The appearance of things was not very promis- 

 ing for a pla.ce of residence. There were two salas, 

 each sixty feet long ; that in front had three large 

 doors, opening upon the encumbered terrace, and 

 the other had no windows and but one door. In both 

 there was an extreme sensation of closeness and 

 dampness, with an unpleasant smell, and in the back 

 room was a large accumulation of dirt and rubbish. 

 Outside, high grass and weeds were growing into 



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