DEPARTURE FROM MERIDA. 



119 



CHAPTER VL 



Departure from Merida. — Map of Yucatan. — Timucui. — Tekoh.— 

 Human Sculls and Bones.— Church of Tekoh.— Convent. — A 

 revolting- Spectacle. — View from the Top of the Church. — Cura 

 of Tekoh.— Journey continued.— A curious Basin. — Telchaquil- 

 lo. — A subterraneous Well. — An extraordinary Cave. — Hacien- 

 da of Joaquim. — Ruins of Mayapan.— A remarkable Mound. — 

 Curious sculptured Remains. — Another extraordinary Cave. — A 

 circular Edifice. — A double Row of Columns. — Ranges of 

 Mounds. — Arches. — Derivation of the Word Yucatan. — Ancient 

 City of Mayapan. 



On Thursday, the twelfth day of November, we 

 rose for our departure from Merida. The plan of 

 our route, and all the arrangements for our journey, 

 were made by our friend Don Simon Peon. Early 

 in the morning our luggage was sent forward on the 

 backs of mules and Indians, and we had only to take 

 leave of our friends. Our landlord refused to re- 

 ceive the four dollars due to him for rent. The 

 pleasure of our society, he said, was compensation 

 enough, and between friends house-rent was not to 

 be thought of. We bade him an affectionate fare- 

 well, and in all probability " we ne'er shall see his 

 like again," at least in this matter of house-rent 

 We breakfasted for the last time with our country- 

 men, including Mr. Fisher and Captain M'Kinley, 

 who had arrived that morning direct from New- 

 York, at the house of the Dona Micaela, and, at- 

 tended by the good wishes of all for our safety and 

 success, mounted for our journey into the interior. 



It was our intention to resume our explorations 



