282 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



Our alternative v^as a house directly opposite the 

 gate of the hacienda, to which there was no objec- 

 tion on the score of size, for as yet its dimensions 

 were unlimited, as it was merely a frame of poles 

 supporting a thatched roof, with a great pile of lime 

 and sand in the centre, intended to be made into 

 walls. The proprietor was erecting it expressly 

 for the accommodation of travellers. While we re- 

 sided in it, the pile of hme and sand was converted 

 to its destined purpose, and we were plastered in ; 

 so that the next visiter to these ruins will find a 

 good house ready for his reception. The major 

 domo wished us to take our meals at the hacienda, 

 but as we had all our travelling equipage, we again 

 organized for housekeeping, and to that end we 

 had an unusual proportion of comforts. Besides 

 the resources of the hacienda, we had the village 

 of Piste at command, and Valladolid being but six 

 hours' distance, we prepared an order for supplies 

 to be sent off the next day. 



The next morning, under the guidance of an In- 

 dian of the hacienda, we prepared for a preliminary 

 survey. The ruins of Chichen he on a hacien- 

 da, called by the name of the ancient city. It is 

 the property of Don Juan Sosa, and was set off to 

 him, on the decease of his father and an apportion- 

 ment of his estate, with cattle, horses, and mules, at 

 a valuation of between five and six thousand dol- 

 lars. As with most of the lands in that neighbour- 

 hood, the fee is in the government, and the propri- 



