144 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



a Stratum of rock. The water was at that time ten 

 or twelve feet from the surface, and in all it was at 

 the same level. The source of this water is a 

 mjstery to the inhabitants, but there are some facts 

 which seem to make the solution simple. The 

 wells are mere perforations through an irregular stra- 

 tum of rock, all communicate, and in the dry season 

 a man may descend in one and come out by anoth- 

 er at the extreme end of the plaza ; it is manifest, 

 therefore, that the water does not proceed from 

 springs. Besides, the wells are all full during the 

 rainy season ; when this is over the water begins to 

 disappear, and in the heat of the dry season it fails 

 altogether ; from which it would appear that un- 

 der the surface there is a great rocky cavern, into 

 which the floods of the rainy season find a way by 

 crevices or other openings, which cannot be known 

 without a survey of the country, and, having httle or 

 no escape, are retained, and furnish a supply so long 

 as they are augmented by the rains. 



The custody and preservation of these wells form 

 a principal part of the business of the village author- 

 ities, but, with all their care, the supply lasts but sev- 

 en or eight months in the year. This year, on ac- 

 count of the long continuance of the rainy season, it 

 had lasted longer than usual, and was still abundant. 

 The time was approaching, however, when these 

 wells would fail, and the inhabitants be driven to an 

 extraordinary cueva at half a league from the village. 



At about dark Mr. Catherwood arrived, and we 



