208 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



CHAPTER XIL 



Journey resumed. — An Aguada. — The Aguadas artificial, and built 

 by the Aboriginal Inhabitants. — Examination of one by Seiior 

 Trego. — Its Construction. — Ancient Wells. — Pits. — A Sugar 

 Rancho. — Rancho of 'Y-a-Walthel. — Rancho of Choop. — ^Arri- 

 val at Macoba.— The Ruins. — Lodgings in a miserable Hut. — 

 Wells. — Ruined Buildings. — Another Aguada. — Pits.— Aston- 

 ishment of the Indians. — Falling in Love at first Sight. — Inter- 

 esting Characters. — Departure. — Thick Undergrowth. — Rancho 

 of Puut. — An Incident. — Situation of the Rancho. — Water. — 

 Ruins of Mankeesh. 



The next morning after breakfast we again set 

 out. Senor Trego escorted us, and, following a 

 broad wagon road made by him for the passage of 

 the horse and cart, at the distance of a mile and 

 a half we came to a large aguada, which is rep- 

 resented in the plate opposite. It was apparently 

 a mere pond, picturesque, and shaded by trees, and 

 having the surface covered with green water plants, 

 called by the Indians Xicin-chah, which, instead 

 of being regarded as a blot upon the picturesque, 

 were prized as tending to preserve the w^ater from 

 evaporation. Indians were then filling their water- 

 jars, and this aguada was the only watering-place of 

 the rancho. These aguadas had become to us inter- 



