Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-26
A Mysterious city.

IN u DuuIinioun oonvont near tao city of San
ia Cruz del Quiche, happened one OF the "lnci-
dents of Travel in Central America" which
Stephens has so pleasantly recorded He there
met with an eccentric fnar, from whom he OBJ
tained some curious information respecting the
surrounding country Nothing reused his curl
osity so keeny as the Padres assertion, that four
days journey on the road to Mexico, on the 9TH
er side of the great sierra (chain of mountains,
was large and populous city, occupied by In
dans, existing precisely IN the same state as be-
fore the discovery Of America.
The Padre had heard of it many years before
at the village of Chaju and was told by the vii
layers that from the topmost ridge of the sierra
this city was distinctly visible
He was then young, and with much labor he
climbed to the naked summit of the sierra, from
which, at height often or twelve thousand feet,
he looked over an immense plain, extending to
Yucatan and the Gulf of Mexico, and he saw
at great distance a large city spread over
great space, and with turres white and glitter
ing in the sun. The traditionary account of the
Indians of Chajul is, that no white man has ever
reached this city; that the Inhabitants speak the
Maya language, are aware that race of stran-
gers has conquered the whole country around
and, with that fact ever present in their minds
murder any white may who attempts to enter
their territory. They have no coin Or other cir
culating medium no horses, CATTLE mules, or
other domestic ANIMALS, except fowls; and the
cocks they keep under ground to prevent their
growing being heard by any of the white travel
lers
"There was in all this says Stephens,
wild novelty-something That touched the imag-
; nation; the old Padre, ih the deep stiffness of
the dlmy lighted convent with his long black
coat like robe, and his flashing eye, called up
) an image of the bold and resolute priests who
accompanied the armies eI the conquerers; and
as he drew map on the table and pointed out
the sierra to the top of which, he had climbed,
and the position of the mysterious city, the in
= terest awakened in us was the most thrilling
$ ever experienced. One look at that city was
i worth ten years of an every day life. If he is
d right, place is left where Indians and an Ind-
d an city exists, as Cortez and Alvarado found
n them. there are living men who can solve the
e Glystery that hangs over the ruined cities of
It America perhaps who can go to Copan, and
read the inscriptions on its monuments. No
n subject more exciting and attractive presents it.
l. self to my mind, and the deep impression Of that
U night will never be efiaced.
: Scan it be true? Being now in my sober
e senses, do verify believe there is much ground
IS 10 suppose that what the Padre told us is authen-
s, tic. That the region referred to does not ac-
n knowledge the authority of Guatemala, has new
n er been explored, and that no white man pre-
e tends to have entered it, am satisfied. From
ID other sources, we heard that from that sierra a
y large ruined city was visible; and we were told
s, of another person who had climbed to the top
lie of the sierra, but on account of the dense cloud
h resting upon it, had been unable to see anything.
& At all events the belief at the village of Chajul
ct IS general, and curiosity is reused that burns