A TRYING TIME. 



405 



cut down small trees, which they used as a sort of 

 battering-ram, striking at the mortar and small 

 stones used for filling up, on loosening which the 

 larger stones fell. To save the beams, we con- 

 structed an inclined plane two or three feet above 

 them, resting against the inner wall, which caught 

 the stones and carried them off. As the breach in- 

 creased it became really dangerous to work under 

 it, and one of the men refused to do so any longer. 

 The beams were almost within my grasp, but if the 

 ragged mass above should fall, it would certainly 

 bury the beams and the men too, either of which 

 would be disagreeable. Fortunately, we had the 

 best set of assistants that ever came out to us from 

 Nohcacab, and their pride was enlisted in the cause. 

 At length, almost against hope, having broken a 

 rude arch almost to the roof, the inner beam was 

 got out uninjured. Still the others were not safe, 

 but, with great labour, anxiety, and good fortune, the 

 whole three at length lay before us, with their sculp- 

 tured faces uppermost. We did no more work that 

 day; we had hardly changed our positions, but, from 

 the excitement and anxiety, it was one of the most 

 trying times w^e had in the country. 



The next day, knowing the difficulty and risk 

 that must attend their transportation, we had the 

 beams set up for Mr. Catherwood to draw. 



The plate opposite represents this lintel, indica- 

 ted in the engraving as three pieces of wood, but 

 originally consisting of only two, that on which the 



