156 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



and returning with water, and though the fame of 

 the Cueva of Bolonchen extends throughout Yuca- 

 tan, from the best information we could procure, not 

 a white man in tlie village had ever explored it. 



We returned to the casa real, made a lavation, 

 which we much needed, and went over to the cura's 

 to dine. If he had not reminded us beforehand that 

 it was Friday and Lent, we should not have discov- 

 ered it. In fact, we were not used to dainties, and 

 perhaps the good cura thought we had never dined 

 before. It was not in nature to think of moving that 

 afternoon, and, besides, we were somewhat at a loss 

 what to do. The cura had unsettled our plans. He 

 had made inquiries, and been informed that there 

 were no ruins at San Antonio, but only a cueva, and 

 we had had enough of these to last us for some time ; 

 moreover, he advised us of other ruins, of which we 

 had not heard before. These were on the rancho 

 of Santa Ana, belonging to his friend Don Antonio 

 Cerbera, the alcalde. Don Antonio had never seen 

 them, but both he and the cura said they intended to 

 visit them ; and they spoke particularly of a casa cer- 

 rada, or closed house, which, as soon as the dry sea- 

 son "came on, they intended to visit con bombas, to 

 blow it up ! The cura was so bent upon our visit- 

 ing this place, that almost in spite of ourselves we 

 were turned in that direction. 



