CHAPTER I.

Departure from Nohcacab.--Outfit.--Rancho of Chack.--Fright of the Women.--Rancho of Schawill--Casa Real.--Scarcity of Water.--Visit from the Alcalde.--Primitive Mode of obtaining Water.--A peculiar People.--Ruins of Zayi.--Great tree-covered Mound.--The Casa Grande.--Fortunate Discovery.--Staircase.--Doorways, &c.--Buildings on the second Terrace.--Doorways.--Curiously ornamented Columns.--Building on the third Terrace.--Doorways, Apartments, &c.--Stone Lintels.--Facade of the second Range of Buildings.--Ground Plan of the three Ranges.--The Casa Cerrada.--Doorways filled up inside with Stone and Mortar.--Finished Apartments, also filled up.--This filling up simultaneous with the Erection of the Building.--A Mound.--Ruined Building.--Its Interior.--Sculptured Head, &c.--A strange Structure.--An Archway.--Perpendicular Wall.--Stuccoed Figures and Ornaments.--Great Terrace and Building.--Apartments, &c.--Want of Interest manifested by the Indians in regard to these Ruins.