90 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



formed a complete angle. These, the Indians told 

 us, were the only buildings that remained. That 

 from which the pillars in the church at Xul were 

 taken was a mere mass of ruins. I was extremely 

 disappointed. From the accounts which had in- 

 duced us to visit this place, we had made larger cal- 

 culations. It was the first time I had been thorough- 

 ly disappointed. There were no subjects for the 

 pencil, and, except the deep and abiding impression 

 of moving among the deserted structures of another 

 ruined and desolate city, there was nothing to carry 

 away. The proprietor seemed mortified that he had 

 not better ruins to show us, but I gave him to under- 

 stand that it was not his fault, and that he was in no- 

 wise to blame. Nevertheless, it was really vexatious, 

 with such good-will on his part, and such a troop of 

 Indians at command, that there was nothing for us 

 to do. The Indians sympathized in the mortifica- 

 tion of their master, and, to indemnify me, told me 

 of two other ruined cities, one of which was but 

 two leagues from the village of Xul. 



I returned and made my report, and Mr. Cath- 

 erwood inmiediately proposed a return to the village. 

 Albino had given him an alarming account of the 

 unhealthiness of the rancho, and he considered it 

 advisable to avoid sleeping there a single night. 

 Doctor Cabot was sitting up in his hammock, dis- 

 secting a bird. A recurrence of fever might detain 

 us some time, and we determined on returning im- 

 mediately to Xul. Our decision was carried into 



