RUINS OF LABNA. 



49 



CHAPTER III. 



Ruins of Labna.— Accounts of the Indians not to be relied on. — 

 Irretrievable Ruin. — Extraordinary Structure. — Doorways. — 

 Chambers. —Gigantic Wall, covered with Designs in Stucco. — 

 Death's Heads. — Human Figures in Alto Relievo. — Colossal 

 Figure seated. — Large Ball and Figures. — Dilapidated State of 

 this Structure. — An arched Gateway. — Other Buildings. — Rich- 

 ly ornamented Doorway. — Courtyard. — Ornaments in Stucco. 

 — Large Building. — Magnificent Edifice. — Facade ornamented 

 with sculptured Stone. — Circular Hole leading to a subterra- 

 neous Chamber. — The Ramon Tree. — A Cave. — Conversation 

 with the Indians. — A Ride to the Hacienda of Tabi. — Sculp- 

 tured Ornament. — Other Figures. — Visit to a Cave. — Tree-en- 

 cumbered Path. — A Vaquero. — Descent into the Cave. — Fan- 

 ciful Scene. — Return to the Rancho. — A Warm Bath. 



The next morning we set out for the ruins of 

 Labna. Our road lay southeast, among hills, and 

 was more picturesque than any we had seen in the 

 country. At the distance of a mile and a half we 

 reached a field of ruins, which, after all we had seen, 

 created in us new feelings of astonishment. It was 

 one of the circumstances attending our exploration of 

 ruins in this country, that until we arrived on the 

 ground we had no idea of what we were to meet 

 with. The accounts of the Indians were never re- 

 liable. When they gave us reason to expect much 

 we found but httle, and, on the other hand, when 

 we expected but little a great field presented itself. 

 Of this place even our friend the cura Carillo had 

 never heard. Our first intelligence of ruins in this 

 region was from the brother of the padrecito at 



Vol. II.— G 5 



