RUINSOFQUEMADA. 243 
square of one hundred and fifty feet. This space was surrounded on the 
south, east, and west, by an elevated terrace of three feet by twelve in 
breadth, having in the centre of each side steps, by which to descend to 
the square. Each terrace was backed by a wall of twenty feet by eight 
or nine. From the south are two broad entrances, and on the east is one 
of thirty feet, communicating with a perfect inclosed square of two hun- 
dred feet, while on the west is one small opening, leading to an artificial 
cave or dungeon, of which I shall presently speak. 
" To the north, the square is bounded by the steep mountain ; and, in the 
centre of that side, stands a pyramid with seven ledges or stages, which 
in many places are quite perfect. It is flat-topped, has four sides, and 
measures at the base thirty-eight by thirty-five feet, while in height it is 
nineteen. Immediately behind this, and on all that portion of the hill 
which presents itself to the square, are numerous tiers of seats, either 
broken in the rock or built of rough stones. In the centre of the square, 
and due south of the pyramid, is a small quadrangular building, seven feet 
by five in height. The summit is imperfect, but it has unquestionably 
been an altar ; and from the whole character of the space in which it 
stands, the peculiar form of the pyramid, the surrounding terrace, and 
the seats or steps on the mountain, there can be little doubt that this has 
been the grand Hall of Sacrifice or Assembly, or perhaps both. 
" Passing to the westward, we next saw some narrow inclosed spaces, 
apparently portions of an aqueduct leading from some tanks on the sum- 
mit of the mountain; and then were shown the mouth of the cave,-or sub- 
terraneous passage, of which so many superstitious stories are yet told 
and believed. One of the principal objects of our expedition had been to 
enter this mysterious place, which none of the natives had ever ventured 
to do, and we came provided with torches for the purpose : unfortunately, 
nowever, the mouth had very recently fallen in, and we could merely 
see that it was a narrow, well-built entrance, bearing in many places the 
remains of good smooth plastering. A large beam of cedar once sup- 
ported the roof, but its removal by the country people had caused the 
dilapidation which we now observed. Mr. Tindal, in knocking out some 
pieces of regularly burnt brick, soon brought a ruin upon his head, but 
escaped without injury ; and his accident caused a thick cloud of yellow 
dust to fall, which on issuing from the cave assumed a bright appearance 
under the full glare of the sun ; — an effect not lost upon the natives, who 
became more than ever persuaded that an immense treasure lay hidden 
in this mysterious place. The general opinion of those who remember 
the excavation is, that it was very deep ; and, from many circumstances, 
there is a probability of its having been a place of confinement for vic- 
tims. Its vicinity to the great hall, in which there can be little doubt that 
the sanguinary rites of the Mexicans were once held, is one argument in 
favor of this supposition ; but there is another equally forcible — its im- 
mediate proximity to a cliff" of about one hundred and fifty feet, down 
which the bodies of victims may have been precipitated, as was the cus- 
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