In An Unknown Land

IN AN UNKNOWN LAND By THOMAS GANN JJ., M. R. C. S., LJI. CJP. Member of the Maya Society NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNERS SONS 1924 First published 1924 Alt rights reserved MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BT SOUTHAMPTON TIMES LTD, , SOUTHAMPTON ONE OF THE HEADS FROM THE CASA DEL GOBERNADOR, UXMAL. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I. Arrival in Belize Population of the Colony Belize Market Belize founded by Buccaneers Efforts made by Spaniards to eject them unavailing Battle of St. Georges Cay The Poke and Go Boys Celebrations of the An niversary of the Battle in Belize Mahogany Cutters Their hard Lives Case of Piracy on the High Seas occurring recently in the Caribbean 13 CHAPTER II. Leave Belize Members of the Expedition Arrival in Payo Obispo Ashore on the Rocks A dangerous Coast Xcalac Espiritu Santo Bay Landing through the Mud A deserted Fishing SettlementOur first Maya Ruin The East Coast Civilisation Culebra Cays A contented Colony Ascension Wreck of Mexican Gunboat Vigia Chica Arrival at Central An Uncomfortable Night Chicleros Santa Cruz Indians They refuse to carry the Letter to their Chief The Chicle Bleeders Life Arrival in Santa Cruz de Bravo History of the Town Its Abandonment by the Mexicans Old Spanish Church at Santa Cruz The Worship of the Talking Cross Victims sacrificed to it Lunch with the only Indian Family in the Town 19 CHAPTER III. Leave Santa Cruz A lazy Mule A Maya Shrine Its Origin Beliefs of the modern Indians regarding these Shrines A Dance Platform A Sunken Stone Cistern Traces of the three Civilisations of Yucatan Start for the Coast We meet the Commander-in-Chief of the Santa Cruz Army We entertain him and the Generals Nephew Useful Maya Phrases Fatal Complaint amongstthe Indians Description of Maya Origin of the Maya Appearance The Women Costume The Womens Work Their Indifference to Money Food Traps for Game Dangerous Hammocks Marriage Armlets worn by the Children Drunkenness Effects of Alcohol-Method of appointing Chiefs Methods of Punishment Executions Flogging Witchcraft Feeble hold on Life Small-pox Bleeding Remedies The Cha Chac Ceremony 36 CHAPTER IV. A Mad Mule Arrival in Vigia-Boca Pailar-A Sports mans Paradise Arrival in Cozumel Carnival Celebrations The Administration - The Island of Cozumel An Ideal Life Mexican Officials A Native Dance Vino del Pais Island Ladies Savage Dogs An ancient Church Cortez 1 Visit to 6 CONTENTS PAGE Cozumel Vaults and Graves opened by Treasure Seekers Grijalvas Visit to Cozumel The Buildings found there by Him He takes Possession in the Name of the Kong of Spain Sitting on a Jerisco The Pests of Yucatan Salubrity of the Island We engage a Pilot He knows of a hitherto unvisited Ruined City Arrival off Ascension Bay We Land to Sleep Tracks in the Sand Good Fishing and Sport Wonderful Flotsam on the Beach Discovery of the Ruined City ., 59 CHAPTER V. Soldier Crabs and Bats Clearing the Bush round the Ruins Hubert lives up to his Reputation Maya never dis covered the Principle of the Arch Description of the Temples A Chacmools Offerings found buried beside it Market-place Curious Situcco Ornaments Ceremonies Performed at these Temples The Builders of this and other East Coast Cities, 77 CHAPTER VI...