AN IRON-BOUND COAST. 



38] 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Search for the Canoa.— An Iron-bound Coast. — A wild Opening. 

 — A sheltered Cove. — The Canoa found. — The Account of the 

 Patron. — A Man overboard. — Return. — Sea-shells. — Departure 

 from Cozumel. — Coast of Yucatan. — Square Buildings. — First 

 Sight of the Castillo of Tuloom. — Rancho of Tancar. — Molas. — 

 His two Sons. — Visit to the Ruins of Tuloom. — Buildings seen 

 on the Way. — Magnificent Scenery. — The Castillo. — Front 

 View. — Grand Staircase. — Columns. — Corridors. — The Red 

 Hand. — The Wings of the Castillo, consisting of two Ranges. 

 — Devices in Stucco. — Flat Roofs. — Back View of the Castillo. 

 — A Storm. — Sudden Change of Feeling. — Ruined Buildings. — 

 Square Terrace. — Picturesque Sight. — Fragments of Tablets. — 

 Isolated Building. — Curious Figure. — Paintings. — Discovery of 

 the City Wall. — Its good Preservation. — Gateways. — Watch- 

 towers. — Buildings. — Ceilings constructed on a new Principle. 

 — Onslaught of Moschetoes. 



Very early in the morning we were moving. The 

 rain had ceased, but the wind was still high, and the 

 waves exhibited its power. Albino and Bernaldo 

 were even more interested in the missing canoa 

 than we, for tea and coffee were nothing to them, 

 and our supply of biscuit being exhausted at break- 

 fast, they had literally nothing to eat. At daylight 

 Bernaldo set off along the shore, and soon after I 

 followed with Albino. Passing round the point 

 which had cut off our view of the canoa, we came 

 upon what might well be called an iron-bound coast, 

 being a table of rock rising but a few feet above the 



